Early childhood Education  

Program Information

The Early Childhood Department provides services related to children aged birth to age five. The department includes a supervisor, parent education coordinator, secretariy and approximately 12 contracted staff.

Parents as Teachers
The Parents as Teachers (PAT) home visiting program is an international early childhood parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child reaches thirty-six months. 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.

Parents as Teachers Brochure 

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.

Upcoming Early Childhood Events

 Welcome Winter Event

Date:  Tuesday, December 6
Times: 10:00 - 11:30 AM or 1:00 - 2:30PM
Place:  Berrien RESA Conference Center
               711 St. Joseph Avenue
               Berrien Springs, MI 49103

If Berrien RESA is closed on December 5th or 6th the Welcome Winter Event will be moved to Friday, December 9th

Event Photo Galleries
Read by the River 9-13-11

Books on the Bluff 9-15-11