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Canfield United Methodist Preschool ‘steps up’
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.The Canfield United Methodist Preschool has been named a 2-star Step Up To Quality preschool. Celebrating the achievement at the church’s weekly Summer Supper were preschool teachers, from left, Shirley Merritt, Preschool Administrator Janet Williams, Ellen Bennett, Ellen VanDussen, Lisa Helmick and Brenda Williams. The preschool sponsored the Summer Supper July 13, and proceeds will benefit the school. The dinners are sponsored by several groups in the church and benefit such causes as vacation bible school, the scholarship fund, missions, and are offered each Monday prior to the Canfield Summer Concert Series on the Green.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Canfield United Methodist Preschool has officially been designated a 2-star Step Up To Quality preschool.
Step Up To Quality is a voluntary star quality rating system administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Education which recognizes and promotes learning and development programs which meet quality benchmarks over and above minimum health and safety licensing standards.
The steps are based on national research identifying the program standards that lead to improved outcomes for children. The standards include: low child to staff ratios, smaller group size, higher staff education, on-going specialized training, improved workplace characteristics and learning standards.
All preschools licensed through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services are encouraged to pursue this achievement.
Administrator Janet Williams suggested pursuing the achievement and the preschool teachers, Ellen Bennett, Ellen VanDussen, Lisa Helmick, Shirley Merritt and Brenda Williams, agreed that together they could reach this goal in one year.
“I took up the challenge and the teachers were all in. While the process is work-intensive, it is all good for children and families. We will be ready to upgrade to 3-star status by the end of the 2015-16 year, when we have more formal assessment in place. All of the results benefit the children and their families,” Williams said.
As part of the process, the preschool has tweaked the ages in their classes.
“We have restructured our program to offer a Pre-Kindergarten class for all children eligible for kindergarten the following year - 2016-17. Ellen VanDussen and Brenda Williams continue as teachers for this oldest group. Our youngest class, led by Ellen VanDussen, with Shirley Merritt as the associate teacher and meeting on Tuesday and Thursday, will include children who are 2 1/2 by September and younger threes. The middle class, led by Ellen Bennett with Lisa Helmick as the associate teacher and meeting Monday, Wednesday and Friday is generally for older threes and young fours,” Williams said.
Williams and the preschool teachers are participating in extra training and have begun in-depth self-evaluation of their program.
“We have begun in depth self-evaluation of the classroom and program as a whole. The teachers and I are participating in extra training as well as professional development in areas we would like to strengthen. We are actively building toward a 3-star award at the end of a two year period, reflecting additional family support, continuing self-evaluation and additional assessment practices,” Williams said.
The preschool is building on the Creative Curriculum which was begun in 2014-15, adding an additional study about Pets and also a study about Making Music. The preschool will also offer additional enrichment opportunities this year.
Information can be found at canfieldmethodist.org, by e-mail at preschool@canfieldmethodist.org or by calling 330-533-9802.