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5 Years of Learning: A Report on the First Five Years of Santa Clara CARES 2002-2006.
Read the Report (PDF)
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Power of Preschool is a high-quality, free, voluntary, part-day preschool program for 4-year-old children (and 3-year-old children when spaces remain and eligible 4-year-old children are served). The initiative expands access to preschool for Santa Clara County’s 3- and 4-year-old children and provides additional resources for families and early educators.
The program was created to assist children in becoming personally, socially, and physically competent, effective learners, and ready to transition into kindergarten. The long-term goal of the Power of Preschool Initiative is to implement California 's Master Plan for Education Preschool Recommendations (2002). The foundation for Power of Preschool was established by the First 5 School Readiness Initiative, by California 's Master Plan for Education (2002), and by the Universal Preschool Task Force Report (1998).
Name Change from Preschool for All
The name "Preschool for All" was changed on February 27, 2006. The FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Commission Program Committee voted to change the name of the initiative to Power of Preschool. Documents created before that date use the name Preschool for All while current documents use the name Power of Preschool. |
Research shows that children birth through five years of age are at a critical stage in their development and that preschool can make a positive contribution. The Power of Preschool model, which takes the latest research into account, will offer reading and language curriculum, home visitation, as well as family support to a portion of the county’s preschool age children. In addition, the program offers resources to early educators and provide advocates to assist families.
Power of Preschool is a multi-year project that is being implemented in phases. It is designed to build on and integrate with existing public and private early care and education programs and partnerships. The targeted population is composed of children and families in high-priority/underserved communities living with multiple risk factors. Examples of risk factors include exposure to drugs or toxins before birth, low birth weight, extreme family poverty, living in a high-crime neighborhood, poor nutrition, parental depression or substance abuse, domestic violence in the home, and family unemployment. Underserved areas are further defined as those with a low supply of licensed early childhood programs relative to the density of children 0-5 years of age.
The Power of Preschool service model addresses all domains of a child’s life. Children do not develop in isolation, but rather within a set of social systems that are interconnected and dynamic. This model recognizes that a child must be understood within the context of the family environment and the family must be understood within the context of its community and larger society. These systems are family, neighborhood, and community. Through a high level of collaboration, early educators work with community partners to provide a three-part model, which includes:
- High-quality early learning environments
- Home visitation with families when needed and appropriate
- Therapeutic interventions and family support
The E3 Institute-Advancing Excellence in Early Child Education-WestEd (E3) led the planning and is overseeing the implementation of the program. The initiative was approved for funding by the FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Commission in October 2005. Beyond the obvious immediate return for the children and families receiving services, FIRST 5 Santa Clara County and the E3 Institute also believe this targeted investment works to gain a return on public investment that benefits all of society.
PFA (now PoP) Master Plan Overview (PDF)
Open Application for Phase 2a, Large Family Child Care Enhanced Spaces
Background: Evolution of Power of Preschool in Santa Clara County
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Clara County Power of Preschool
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