Early Childhood Services provides enriching learning experiences at no or low cost to income eligible families with children ages 2 years 9 months-5 years old in high quality part-day or full-day preschool programs. 

Our Preschool Program Philosophy

Our State Preschool programs maintain the standard of high quality preschool classrooms. High quality early childhood education builds on what children already know and can do. We provide materials and experiences that are challenging, but allow children to self-discover on their own with little adult support. This is defined as developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). Developmentally appropriate practice involves:

• Setting learning goals for children that are challenging but achievable with high quality teacher interactions.

• Teachers pay attention to each child’s unique  interests, abilities and understanding.

• Classrooms have a balance between large group experiences and teacher facilitated activities that allow children choice in how they explore and share what they know and want to know more about. Child selected activities are interest based and open ended to allow for individualized creativity.

• Teacher’s are involved with children’s activities, using their interactions to support children in the construction of their own learning. 

• Children are free to make their own choices of where to explore materials or play with in the classroom. 

• Teacher’s have clear classroom expectations that support children’s development and autonomy. 
   

Program Goals

1. Relationships: The program promotes positive relationships between children and families to support each child’s individuality, self concept and sense of belonging to their community. The program fosters each child’s ability to contribute as a responsible member of society. 

2. Curriculum: The program implements a curriculum that is consistent with its goals for children and promotes learning and growth in the following areas: social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive. 

3. Teaching: The program uses a variety of developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate practices that enhance each child’s learning. 

4. Assessment: The program uses a variety of assessment strategies to provide information on children’s learning and development. These assessments occur with family partnership and awareness of the cultural contexts in which children are developing. The program makes assessment-based  decisions about children in their care, to improve teaching practices and facilitate classroom enhancement. 

5. Health: The program promotes the health and nutrition of children. The program has practices that protect families, children and staff  from illness. 

6. Qualifications: The program hires, and supports/trains a teaching staff that has the qualifications, knowledge and professional commitment to promote developmentally appropriate practices for children and to support families’ diverse needs and interests. 

7. Families: The program establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with each child’s family. These relationships are sensitive to family structure, language, culture and beliefs. Teachers listen to families’ goals and concerns for their child and allow active participation by families in the classroom. Teachers share regular communication with families about a child’s progress, successes and areas of support. 

8. Community Partnerships: The program establishes relationships with various community members to support the child’s growth and development.

9. Leadership and Management: The program effectively implements processes, procedures and systems that support staff longevity and strong program management so all children, and families  have high-quality experiences. 

The Shasta County Office of Education, Early Childhood Services (ECS) is operated on a non-discriminatory basis. Equal treatment and access is given without regard to race, sex, differing abilities, gender identity, religion, language or national origin. 

The Workforce Development
There are funds available to help you continue your education in early childhood.  Please contact our early education division for more information.

Welcome to the Shasta County Office of Education substitute system for our county run programs.

Using ReadySub, employees can quickly accomplish routine tasks such as reporting absences and reviewing their schedules.

Substitutes will receive calls from the system and be given the opportunity to accept jobs. They can also log into the system to find available jobs as well as retrieve jobs.

43 Hilltop Drive
Redding, CA 96003
Phone: (530)605-2524
Teléfono: (530)605-2502
preschool@shastacoe.org
Fax: (530)225-2977

Office Hours:
Monday- Friday
8:00am-5:00pm