The Early Childhood Department provides services related to children aged birth to five. The department includes a supervisor, consultant, two secretaries and approximately 40 contracted staff.
Current Programs
Even Start The Even Start Family Literacy Programs are school-community partnerships that help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy program.
Parents as Teachers The Parents as Teachers (PAT) program is an international early childhood parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually age 5. The program is designed to enhance child development and school achievement through parent education accessible to all families. It is a universal access model. Parent Educators also use the Born to Learn Curriculum. Vision, hearing, and developmental screening is done periodically. When needed, families are connected to agencies that can assist them in creating a safe and stable home for their child. Click Here to view the Parents as Teachers Program Brochure PAT Caregiver Educator Program Family day care providers and relative care providers receive monthly visits from a trained Caregiver Educator who provides age-specific developmental information and activities for children whom they care for. The PAT Caregiver Educator Program offers practical and developmentally appropriate ideas to help caregivers create a fun and stimulating environment for their children to explore. Through a wide variety of play and literacy based activities, children benefit from the program's emphasis on helping children develop their motor, language, thinking and social skills. Click Here to view the Caregiver Educator Program Brochure Click Hereto view the Fall 2008 Love & Logic Workshop Dates
PAT Play Groups Book theme-based groups are held throughout the county on a monthly basis. All Berrien County families with children birth to five-years-old are invited to attend. Activity stations give parents hands-on ideas on how to use play to teach their child. Every child leaves with the featured book of the month. Additionally, these meetings provide opportunities for parents to learn from each other, share common experiences and concerns, develop friendships and form new support networks. November 2008 Playgroup Calendar December 2008 Playgroup Calendar
Berrien Regional Education Service Agency • 711 St. Joseph Ave, Berrien Springs, MI 49103 • (269) 471• 7725
