Play & Learn Storyboard 2017

Northwest Early Learning

Island ∙ San Juan ∙ Skagit ∙ Snohomish ∙ Whatcom

A Community Resource to Support the Expansion of Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Groups

Table of Contents About Northwest Early Learning What is Northwest Play & Learn?

Why Play & Learn?

Play & Learn Builds Protective Factors Stories from Play & Learn: Padres Todos Juntos Stories from Play & Learn: Mother Mentors Playscape Stories from Play & Learn:

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn at Ferndale School District Play & Learn Everywhere!

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn: An Evidence-Informed,

Promising Practice Supporting Caregivers & Parents Positive Outcomes Associated with Kaleidoscope Becoming a Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Affiliate What does it Cost to Run Kaleidoscope Play & Learn?

Possible Elements of an Operating Budget Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Readiness Checklist Additional Considerations To Make Play & Learn Great Special Invitation: Join Northwest Play & Learn Steps to Participate

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About Northwest Early Learning Founded in 2005, Northwest Early Learning (NWEL) is an early childhood system planning initiative representing over one-hundred organizations across Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties.

NWEL is governed by an advisory panel consisting of representatives from each of five affiliated county coalitions: Partners for Young Children in Island County San Juan County Early Learning Coalition Children’s Council of Skagit County Snohomish County Early Learning Coalition Whatcom Early Learning Alliance

NWEL identifies annual priorities that further it mission “to support access to comprehensive early learning and family support opportunities for all children and families.”

For more information about NWEL, please contact: Karma Hugo, NWEL Coordinator and Director of Early Learning for Northwest Educational Service District 189 at khugo@nwesd.org or 360-299-4045 1

What is Northwest Play & Learn?

Northwest Play & Learn is a campaign by Northwest Early Learning to increase the number of high-quality playgroups in our region. Play & Learn is a broad term that acknowledges a variety of playgroup models that exist in our communities. Play & Learn groups have an informal “drop-in” structure open to all families and caregivers with young children. Caregivers participate in fun learning activities with their children in an environment that is supportive and rich in resources. Activities span social and cognitive domains for young children and the adults who care for them. Caregivers increase their social connections and gain new tools for supporting their young ones’ development in ways that they can continue at home. High-quality Play and Learn group recognize families as their child’s first and most enduring teacher.

Expansion of Play & Learn encompasses many priorities that NWEL has established to achieve the vision that “all children have high quality early care and learning experiences that support optimal growth and development leading to success in school and life”: • Increased parent and caregiver learning opportunities • Improved social-emotional learning of parents and caregivers • Increased awareness of the importance of healthy prenatal to age three development • Increased school-readiness Estimates from local programs suggest that even once-a-week Play & Learn groups have the potential to reach 130 families over the course of a 6-month program. NWEL believes that participation in Play & Learn will lead to improved outcomes for children and families. Please see page 17 for a special invitation to participate in our campaign!

Features of High-Quality Play & Learn (( Learning for both adults and children (( Families with multiple young children can attend (( Families participate in their child’s preschool experience (( Parenting and community resources are shared (( Tailored to meet community composition and needs (languages, transportation, location, and resources) (( Increased opportunities for sponsors to support the children in their communities early on, learning about families’ needs, hopes, and strengths

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Why Play & Learn?

According to the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS), in 2016 less than half (46.9%) of the kindergarteners in our region were considered “school-ready�. Because approximately, 61% of children in our region do not participate in preschool, increasing this percentage will require a variety of approaches. Children experience a range of exposure to quality early learning, depending on the education and resources of their caregivers, as well as the opportunities available in their communities.

Play & Learn is an effective approach that specifically reaches out to families that are unlikely to participate in formal preschool prior to kindergarten. her

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Supporting Brain Development & School-Readiness

(( Vocabulary development (( Literacy & math development (( Social and emotional development (( Science exploration (( Practice of school routines (( Interaction with peers

Building Ad ult Capabil itie

s (( Learning a nd confidence -building hap adults and th pens for both e children, an d children see parents active that their ly support the (( Parenting ir learning and communit y resources are facilitate acce shared to ssing services for any health needs that mig or special ht impact learn (( Families b in g uild their socia l networks

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Play & Learn Builds Protective Factors Participation in family engagement programs like Play & Learn provide important protective factors that can help families and children thrive, even in the face of adversity.

High-quality Play & Learn provides respectful facilitation that engages and affirms parents as critical partners in their child’s development and learning. Providing resources is often the setting for first parenting connections and lasting friendships for both the children and their caregivers.

Play & Learn Resonates with 5 Key Protective Factors:

Key Factors Concrete support in times of need

Community resources are available during group time, along with links to resources, utilizing a strength-based approach.

Knowledge of parenting

Facilitators are knowledgeable about parenting, share resources and provide opportunities for sharing expertise among parents.

Social connections

Settings are infused with the opportunity for social connections among parents, with facilitators and with children.

Parental resilience

An asset-based, postive approach is incorporated while working side-by-side with parents in their role as their child’s first teacher. Parents experience success and support each time they attend, reinforcing their role in a positive way.

Developing the social-emotional competence of children

By design and through every activity, playgroups are focused on the social-emotional health and development of children.

Find out more about Protective Factors at: http://www.cssp.org/reform/strengtheningfamilies 4

Stories from Play & Learn Padres Todos Juntos (Friends Together)

Lack of Spanish language services, unpredictable income and isolation – both geographic and social – are issues that can make parenting stressful for low-income Latino families living on San Juan Island. In recent years, the percentage of children in the San Juan Island School District who come from Spanish-speaking families has doubled and It makes a big difference to be continues to grow. able to get together with other moms… to talk and even laugh Padres Todos Juntos, is a Play & Learn group about everything – the good implemented by the San Juan Island Family things about having a baby and Resource Center, that reaches out to Latino also the really stressful things. families with babies and young children.

Families are provided free transportation to attend twice-weekly playgroups led by a bilingual Parent Mentor, go on local field trips, and attend weekly parenting classes.

Padres also serves as a gateway for informing Spanish-speaking parents about critical services available for their children, such as affordable health care and the local Head Start program.

Most importantly, the program focuses on the simple idea that building supportive friendships with other parents is a powerful means of reducing stress and creating healthier, happier families and children. Lily, a 20 year old first-time mother, has this to say about her participation in the program: “It makes a big difference to be able to get together with other moms that I totally trust and just be able to talk and even laugh about everything – the good things about having a baby and also the really stressful things. It makes me feel less alone and less worried about whether I’m doing a good job of being a mom.”

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Kaleidoscope Play & Learn at Mother Mentors Play Scape The addition of a new baby can be a stressful, sometimes difficult time for families, particularly those with low-incomes and special needs. Living on an island can exacerbate feelings of isolation, helplessness or post-partum depression. Navy families may be especially isolated as they have no local family support and may be single or have a partner deployed for long periods of time.

I did not know anyone when we moved here and finding Playscape was a godsend.

Playscape, facilitated by Mother Mentors of Whidbey Island, is a drop-in Play & Learn program offered at three locations for families with children birth-five. Extended families, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, foster parents, and parents on CPS supervised visits are welcome.

Patrick, a Dad in Oak Harbor has this to say about Playscape: “I am new to Whidbey Island. We came from the east coast where I was stationed with the Navy. We are a blended family. My wife has a 9 year old son and I have an 8 year old son and together we have a 15 month old son. We all live together. My wife works full time and I recently retired from the Navy and am a stay-at-home Dad. I did not know anyone when we moved here and finding Playscape was a godsend. My son gets to socialize and play with other children and I get to meet other parents and grandparents. Joyce has given me useful information about resources in the community: preschools, libraries and all kinds of stuff. I have also learned some things about how my child grows at Playscape—I am really grateful to have found this place.�

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Kaleidoscope Play & Learn at the Ferndale School District For Olga Fuentes, education in the U.S. was something she knew “nothing about.” Born and raised in Mexico, American education was unfamiliar and intimidating. Olga searched for opportunities for her son Erick to play with other children. Meanwhile, the Ferndale School District, recognizing that strong early learning experiences can influence success in school, began implementing a weekly Kaleidoscope Play & Learn group.

According to Kim Hawes, Director of Early Learning, Kaleidoscope fit the district’s vision of supporting families early on.

“We want our community to know that we care about them and that they are a part of our learning community.”

I had no idea he could learn so much by playing! I never thought he would learn to share, and now - he is ready for kindergarten

Olga heard about Kaleidoscope from a friend and loved that she “was able to stay with Erick at the play group, that it was free, and that anyone could attend!”

“One of the biggest thing we focus on is building Parent-Leaders,” says playgroup facilitator, Rachel Bowlden. “We see the benefit carry into kindergarten.” Children are more prepared for school and families see themselves as active partners in their children’s education.

After attending with Erick, Olga became a Parent-Leader, interpreting for Spanishspeaking families. Erick started kindergarten in 2015 and Olga believes that attending Play & Learn had a huge impact on his success. She also credits it with developing her own skills as a leader, which she uses to facilitate equally positive experiences for other local families.

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Play & Learn Everywhere!

Play & Learn groups can be facilitated in all kinds of different locations throughout the community! Schools, libraries, churches, community centers, apartment complexes, shopping centers - EVERYWHERE!

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Kaleidoscope Play & Learn:

An Evidence-Informed, Promising Practice Supporting Caregivers & Parents Northwest Early Learning is pleased to partner with Child Care Resources to introduce Kaleidoscope Play & Learn! Kaleidoscope is an evidence-informed, promising practice playgroup model based on widely accepted theories and best practices in the fields of child development; early learning; parenting education; community development; and cultural competence.

Kaleidoscope grew out of Child Care Resources’ work to provide support and information to Family, Friend and Neighbor caregivers – the thousands of aunts, uncles, grandparents, older siblings, family friends and neighbors who care for young children while their parents are at work.

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn are weekly play groups for young children and their family, friend and neighbor caregivers and parents.

They are held in neighborhood locations, such as libraries, community centers, schools, apartment buildings and shopping centers. There are groups in different languages; some are multilingual. Most groups are free, drop-in, and open to young children of all ages.

Each group has a trained facilitator who plans and sets up fun, culturally- and developmentally-appropriate play activities for the children and their caregivers to participate in together.

Through facilitator guidance and modeling, conversation, peer learning, and hands-on experience, caregivers learn what they can do at home to support children’s learning and healthy development through easy, fun ways to engage in play.

Theory of Change Kaleidoscope Play & Learn provides Family, Friend and Neighbor caregivers and parents with information, resources, support and connections so that Caregivers and parents provide high-quality child care and healthy development so that All children receive high-quality care in safe, nurturing environments and are prepared to succeed in school and life

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Positive Outcomes Associated with Kaleidoscope Taken from Summary of Year-End Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Participant Survey Results, December 2016

of caregivers and parents reported increases in all fourteen of the measures that relate to supporting children’s development and school-readiness including reading or looking at books together, talking about numbers and shapes, describing things they do and see, and talking with the children about feelings. reported feeling more supported as a caregiver or parent in their community. reported that they talk to or share ideas about caring for children with another adult. reported that they use community activities or services to help the child in their care learn and be healthy more than they did before attending Kaleidoscope Play & Learn. of respondents indicated an increase in the frequency with which they provide learning opportunities to the children in their care as a result of attending Kaleidoscope Play & Learn.

Reaching a Diversity of Families

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn also reaches communities more likely to experience school preparation gaps: immigrant and refugee families, families with low incomes, and families of color.

• Three quarters of Kaleidoscope Play & Learn participants are people of color.

• Close to two thirds of Kaleidoscope participants live in homes where adults predominately speak a language other than English.

• Close to half of Kaleidoscope Play & Learn participants live in poverty.

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Becoming a Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Affiliate Taken from Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Planning Handbook and Toolkit

Organizations that are interested in providing Kaleidoscope Play & Learn groups sign an Affiliate Agreement with and pay an annual license fee of $1,7001 to Child Care Resources, the home of Kaleidoscope Play & Learn. Refer to page 17 to find out how you can take advantage of a special, discounted licensing fee through NW Play & Learn!

Being a Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Affiliate includes the following benefits: • Registration for two facilitators each year to attend the required Kaleidoscope Play & Learn 101 training at not cost • Access to facilitator continuing education webinars at no cost • Electronic copies and periodic updates of: ◦◦ Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Planning Handbook and Tool Kit, which includes guidance and customizable documents to help organizations with planning budgets, fundraising, hiring and outreach for implementation of groups ◦◦ Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Caregiver Learning Handbook and Lesson Guides, a set of materials for facilitators, including 45 lesson plans, posters and other materials that support learning • Participation in standardized annual outcomes evaluation, including a report of results for the Affiliate’s groups • Consultation on all aspects of program planning, outreach, facilitation and evaluation • License to use the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn name and materials • Membership in a statewide network of Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Affiliates that collectively advocates for the inclusion of Kaleidoscope Play & Learn and other Family, Friend and Neighbor supports in funding strategies and public policy To ensure consistent quality across the state as well as fidelity to this Promising Practice, Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Affiliates commit to: • Providing groups in accordance with the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Guidelines • Participate in Quality Assurance Activities which include: ◦◦ Facilitator completion of the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn 101 training ◦◦ Annual caregiver outcomes survey ◦◦ Annual Quality Self-Assessment for each facilitator • Providing other data, such as group schedule and location information and monthly attendance numbers 1 Child Care Resources reserves the rights to change license fees

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What does it Cost to Run Kaleidoscope Play & Learn?

The cost of Play & Learn depends on many variables but current program costs average between $8,000 and $15,000 based on a 90-minute session, once a week for 50 weeks.

Possible Elements of a Start-Up Budget Taken from the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Budget Workbook

Staff time

Durable equipment

Activity supplies Other supplies Administrative costs Training*

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Affiliate License Fee*

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Prior to starting a Kaleidoscope Play & Learn group, staff is active in planning for the group, building community partnerships, fundraising, hiring and training a facilitator, recruiting participants, acquiring supplies and materials. While many organizations might absorb the planning and startup staffing costs in their general budgets, remember to plan for facilitator time to attend — and staff time to cover the facilitator’s absence — to attend Kaleidoscope Play & Learn trainings, such as Kaleidoscope Play & Learn 101.

This includes purchasing the toys, materials, books, and other long-lasting equipment that you’ll need for the group. Please note that groups are not required to have child-sized furnishings or many expensive toys. Check the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Tool Kit for tips on selecting and finding low cost equipment.

These are the up-front expenses of purchasing supplies which will need to be periodically replenished, such as markers, paper, paint, playdough, etc.

This is all the “other stuff” you’ll want to have on hand at the group, such as first aid supplies, clean-up materials, pens, paper, etc.

Don’t forget to include your administrative overhead costs such as phone, insurance, office space, office supplies, mileage, supervision, etc. related to offering Kaleidoscope Play & Learn.

The Kaleidoscope Play & Learn 101 training gives facilitators a good foundation in the multiple components of the program, and it also helps facilitators identify areas where they want to learn more. Based on your facilitator’s experience and expertise, they might benefit from further training in child development, parent/caregiver support, group facilitation, working in a multicultural setting, etc. *See page 17 for the special offer from NW Play & Learn!

Please consult with Kaleidoscope Play & Learn’s office in Seattle for more information about current license fees. *See page 17 for the special offer from NW Play & Learn!

Possible Elements of an Operating Budget (Taken from the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Budget Workbook)

Facilitator (wages, taxes and benefits)

Program manager/ Supervision Durable equipment Activity supplies

Other supplies Food, beverages Space rental

Mileage

In addition to time spent during the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn group itself, the facilitator will also need time every day the group meets to plan and prepare, to set-up and clean-up, and to follow-up with any questions or concerns that come up during the group. You’ll also want to budget for time for recruiting participants, supervision, on-going training, administrative activities such as tracking group attendance, participating in evaluation, and other related tasks.

If the group is off-site, you may want to include travel time to and from the group location. Please plan for at least 5-6 hours a week for a facilitator to tend to all these tasks for a weekly, 90-minute group.

Most organizations have a program manager/supervisor/point person who has oversight of Kaleidoscope Play & Learn. Include time for supervising the facilitator, assisting with administrative activities (evaluation and other data-collection), assisting with recruitment, fundraising and other tasks.

Over time, you will need to replace or repair broken toys and missing equipment. Plan for a few hundred dollars each year.

Throughout the year, you’ll need to replenish supplies such as paper, markers, paint, playdough, and other materials. This cost will depend on how many participants you have, the types of activities offered, and where you get your supplies. Plan for $15-$30 per session.

Again, you might need to replenish supplies. Plan for $100 or so each year.

Many groups choose to serve a simple snack, such as crackers and fruit. Snacks are not required in Kaleidoscope Play & Learn groups.

This is an area where having a community partner that can loan you space for the group can be a real benefit to your bottom line. Most groups usually find free or very low cost space that belongs to their own organization or to a community partner such as a library, school, community center, housing complex community room.

Include mileage to and from the group (if it’s off-site), for recruiting activities and for participating in trainings and meetings.

Administrative costs

Don’t forget to include your administrative overhead costs such as phone, office space, insurance, office supplies, fundraising, supervision, etc. related to offering Kaleidoscope Play & Learn. Again, many organizations choose to fold these expenses into their organizational budgets.

Training To do a great job, facilitators benefit from continuing education training. A benefit of being a Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Affiliate is access to facilitator training webinars are no additional cost. These webinars are also archived and available for later viewing at a time convenient to the facilitator.

Kaleidoscope Play & Please consult with Kaleidoscope Play & Learn’s office in Seattle for more Learn Affiliate Annual information about current license fees.

License Fee* *See page 17 for the special offer from NW Play & Learn!

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Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Readiness Checklist (Taken from the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Planning Handbook and Toolkit)

Below are a few areas of consideration to help determine if your organization is ready to become a Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Affiliate:

©©COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Consider who you currently have collaborative

relationships with, how these partners might support your Kaleidoscope Play & Learn group and how your group could support them in return.

©©DEFINING THE INTENDED AUDIENCE It’s helpful to be clear about specific

groups of people you hope will participate in your group and to learn about: (( Where they live (( What their interests are (( What cultures they represent and what language(s) they speak (( What needs for support, connection and information they might have

©©LOCATION Kaleidoscope Play & Learn groups can happen anywhere – community

centers, schools, libraries, houses of worship, shopping centers, rec rooms in apartment complexes, parks, and conference rooms. Groups need not happen in spaces already set up for children, like classrooms or child care centers. Important considerations: (( How convenient is it to your intended caregivers? Can they get there using their usual mode of transportation – walking, public transportation, driving? Is there adequate parking? (( How familiar is the space to your intended participants? Will they be comfortable and feel at home in that location? (( Is the space large enough for all of your group’s activities? Is there room for several play centers and for the group to gather as one? (( Is there storage that is generally not shared and that can be locked to keep your supplies secure? (( Is the space otherwise clean and generally safe for participants? (( Is the host organization open to having you post signage, at least on the days of the group? (( Does the space meet the requirements in the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Guidelines?

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©©STAFFING Kaleidoscope Play & Learn is all about relationships. You’ll want to give

planning for staffing its due consideration. In addition to the facilitator role, you’ll need to plan who will be responsible for: (( Developing and maintaining community partnerships (( Budget planning and oversight (( Supervising the facilitator (( Attending to quality assurance and evaluation

©©MATERIALS One of the intentions of Kaleidoscope Play & Learn is to help

caregivers learn what they can do at home to support children’s learning and development. Most groups have children from birth to age 5 years. When you compile materials, toys and supplies for your group, aim for a variety of things that will span children’s: (( Ages, (( Abilities, (( Cultures, and (( Interests

©©BUDGETING The cost of Kaleidoscope Play & Learn depends on:

(( How the facilitator is paid, including how much and if benefits are included, how much travel time she/he will need to get to and from groups, how involved she/he is in outreach and planning and other tasks outside the actual group time. (( What other staff time will be involved in various parts of planning and supporting the group – and how much those staff are paid. Some groups even choose to have two staff facilitate a group to help cover the various languages the participants speak. (( If – and how much the group must pay for space (( If certain materials are donated – including community partners who donate staff time to help with tasks such as outreach and planning.

©©DATA COLLECTION You’ll need to plan how your organization will collect

and report the information needed for reporting per the Affiliate Agreement. Your organization may also choose to collect and track additional information.

Additional resources for planning are available in the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Planning Handbook and Toolkit and the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Guidelines

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Additional Considerations To Make Play & Learn Great Here are some other elements that we have learned from local programs that contribute to the success of Play & Learn groups:

Organizational capacity

• Understanding of significance of early learning • Commitment to equity • Ability to collaborate • Participation in county early learning coalition

Trained facilitation

• Knowledge of child development and enjoyment of young children • Increasing skills in cultural humility to invite families from diverse racial, ethnic and class backgrounds • Cultural match of facilitator to participating families • Genuine warmth in interactions • Ability to adapt to emergent learning situations and changing needs of families

Developmentally appropriate materials selected with both children and adults in mind

• Ability to adapt materials use to various settings with safety as a key component • Creating play experiences and activities with materials families can find at home • Home Language resources • Translators / interpreters to support publicity of program, and on-going needs

Parent-leaders

• Leaders that emerge from the community of parents who can speak the represented languages, advocate for the Play & Learn group with their contacts • Leaders that increase their knowledge of the importance of play as the key learning activity of young children

Links to Community Resources • Knowledge of resources • Contacts with social service agencies

Transportation considerations

• Bus routes • Capacity for organization to provide transportation

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Special Invitation: Join Northwest Play & Learn This year, thanks to funding from Thrive Washington, Northwest Early Learning is offering additional support to local organizations that are interested in becoming Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Affiliates, including discounted participation rates. In addition to the benefits of participation through Child Care Resource, regional community members who join NW Play & Learn will receive: • Discounted Affiliate License fee: $1,000 per year for first two years of implementation • Templates for flyers and community promotion • Connection to local referral networks • Technical assistance for data collection and analysis • New facilitator workshops to support increased success

Steps to Participate:

1. Complete the Kaleidoscope Play & Learn Readiness Checklist on page 14 2. Register to join the informational webinar, Kaleidoscope Play & Learn: An Overview for Managers ◦◦ March 8, 2017, 3:30 - 4:30 pm 3. Observe a local Kaleidoscope Play & Learn group in action!

4. Complete and submit a Play & Learn Affiliate Agreement with Child Care Resources 5. Register for one of two regional Kaleidoscope 101 trainings: ◦◦ March 30 & 31, 2017 ◦◦ October 12 & 13, 2017 6. Show your support by participating in NW Play & Learn Week: ◦◦ April 24 -28, 2017 To join NW Play & Lean or to find out more contact: Lisa Conley, 206-329-1011 ext. 202 or conley@childcare.org 17