Early Learning Programs in Fresno Unified School District: Setting the Foundation for Future Success
Fresno Unified School District recognizes the importance of early childhood education in laying the groundwork for future academic and life success. Through its comprehensive Early Learning Programs, the district provides various options for families with children from infancy through preschool age. These programs focus on creating nurturing and engaging environments that promote social, emotional, and oral language development, ensuring that young learners are well-prepared for their educational journey.
Comprehensive Early Learning Options
Fresno Unified offers a variety of early learning programs to meet the diverse needs of families in the community. These programs include:
- Early Learning Centers: Six early learning centers offer full-day care and education for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. These centers provide a structured and stimulating environment where children can learn and grow.
- Preschool Programs: Preschool programs are available at most elementary school sites throughout the district. These programs provide a play-based curriculum that focuses on developing essential skills such as literacy, math, and social-emotional competence.
- Dual Language Immersion Program: This program brings together dual language learner students with children whose home language is English, fostering bilingualism and biliteracy. In preschool through first grade, instruction is 90% in Spanish and 10% in English, gradually increasing the English component as students progress through the grades. Dual immersion preschool classes with instruction in Spanish are available at Burroughs, Calwa, Centennial, Ewing, Leavenworth, Roeding, Rowell, Sunset, Wawona, and Winchell. Furthermore, two sites offer Hmong and English dual immersion programs.
Curriculum and Learning Environment
The Early Learning Programs in Fresno Unified utilize The Creative Curriculum, a scientifically and researched-based curriculum chosen by parents. This curriculum emphasizes play, exploration, and problem-solving, providing children with opportunities to learn through hands-on experiences.
Classrooms are designed with well-defined physical spaces or interest areas such as:
- Blocks
- Dramatic Play
- Toys and Games
- Art
- Library
- Discovery
- Sand and Water
- Music and Movement
- Nutrition
- Outdoors
These interest areas provide opportunities for children to engage in activities that promote development and learning in various domains.
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A Visual Daily Schedule provides structure and predictability, balancing active and quiet times, child-initiated experiences, and teacher-planned activities. Choice Time allows children to select the interest area in which they want to play, with whom they want to play, and the materials they want to use, fostering independence and self-direction. Transitions between activities are relaxed and used as opportunities to reinforce concepts and skills.
The Importance of Social-Emotional Development and Language
Fresno Unified's Early Learning Programs emphasize social-emotional development and oral language skills as crucial components of early childhood education. Highly qualified teaching staff provide instruction that focuses on these areas, recognizing their impact on children's overall well-being and future success.
Meal times are viewed as learning opportunities, particularly in early infancy. Caregivers holding babies and making eye contact during feeding are fostering social and emotional development. In preschool, children and teachers eat together, promoting social skills, fine motor skills, self-confidence, and proper table manners.
The Dual Language Immersion Program helps create a smooth transition into the English language while learning about other cultures. The model used starts with 90% instruction in the home language and 10% in English, with the English component gradually increasing over the grades.
Access and Enrollment
Fresno Unified is committed to making early learning accessible to all families. Families who are working, seeking work, attending school, or participating in a training program may qualify for low-cost or no-cost care for children from 6 weeks through 5 years old. Income information is collected to determine eligibility for state-funded programs like the California State Preschool Program (CSPP) and the General Child Care and Development Program (CCTR).
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To find out more about eligibility and enrollment, families can call (559) 457-3416.
Enrollment Requirements
To enroll a child in an Early Learning Program, families must provide the following documentation:
- Current Proof of Address dated within 60 days of the application date.
- Immunization Record for the enrolling student.
Completing the Early Learning application does not guarantee enrollment in the preferred school or class. Families will be notified by phone regarding their child’s enrollment and placement.
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