Park County Early Childhood Care and Education

    Parents as Teachers is an international early childhood parent education and family support organization serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually age 5.  The service model is designed to enhance child development and school achievement through parent education accessible to all families.  It is a universal access model.
    Recognizing that all families can benefit from support, Parents as Teachers families come in all configurations, from all socio-economic levels, and from rural, urban and suburban communities.  The program is adaptable to fit community needs.  It is a national model, but a local program.  Family participation is voluntary.
    Parents as Teachers National Center develops curricula, trains early childhood professionals, and certifies parent educators to work with parents to provide them with parenting support and information on their developing child.

Goals_________________________________________________________________________________________________
-  Increase parent knowledge of early childhood development and improve parenting practices.

-  Provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues.

-  Prevent child abuse and neglect.

-  Increase children's school readiness and school success.

Core Values___________________________________________________________________________________________
-  Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers.

-  The early years of a child's life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and life.

-  Established and emerging research should be the foundation of parent education and family support curricula, training, materials and services.

-  All young children and their families deserve the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of any demographic, geographic or economic considerations.

-  An understanding and appreciation of the history and traditions of diverse cultures is essential in serving families.