PHILOSOPHY Our program is built around the four cornerstones of Early Head Start: Child Development, Family Development, Staff Development and Community Development. We believe that a well managed program that adheres to established standards creates an environment that fosters opportunities for creativity, growth, and development in parents, children, staff, and the community. Child Development: We know that children come into the world eager to learn and that the first five years of life are a time of enormous growth of linguistic, conceptual, social, emotional, and motor competence. We know that relationships are among the most significant influences on healthy growth and psychological well-being for children and a close attachment to their parent or primary caregiver is most important. We rely on the parent, who knows their child better than anyone else, to help plan services for their child. We understand that each child is as unique as the family they were born to. We recognize that Early Head Start families represent a wide diversity in family make up, beliefs and culture. We identify and build on individual family strengths to support parents as they promote their child's learning, meet their health needs and support their social-emotional development. Family Development: Just as with children, relationships are important for adults and set the stage for work together. We build relationships with enrolled families by acting in a respectful, trustworthy, caring, and responsive manner. Throughout program activities, parents and staff work in partnership to design services to meet family needs and to set, work toward and achieve personal and family goals. By helping adults prepare for their role as a parent during pregnancy and supporting them as they begin their parenting journey we help them gain confidence and skills. Feelings of competence come from positive experiences, interactions and increasing knowledge. Staff Development A well trained staff who are emotionally supported in their work and have opportunities to share and work with each other are able to provide quality services for families and children. Providing flexibility, adequate compensation and benefits, opportunities for creativity, recognition and access to additional learning increase employee satisfaction and retention. Community Development: We believe it is important to be involved in community work to improve services for children and families. Contributing time and energy to community efforts builds relationships with agencies, organizations and individuals. These relationships strengthen current ties and open doors to new partnerships and collaborative projects. By sharing and working together we avoid duplication, ensure continuity of services, better use resources and accomplish more
|
Coeur d'Alene Office
411 N. 15th, Suite 200
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
Phone: 208-765-6955
Sandpoint Office
137 McGhee Road
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Phone: 208-263-2569
Lakeland Office
P.O. Box 1198
14790 N. Kimo Ct.
Rathdrum, ID 83858
Phone: 208-712-3152