From the time the Gladstone Center for Children and Families [GCCF] opened in 2009, Head Start has provided a quality preschool free to low income children, and those experiencing homelessness or served by foster care.
Run by the Clackamas County Children’s Commission [CCCC], the program serves 60 children from ages 3 to 5, providing both half day and full day classes. The preschool uses an investigation-based curriculum focused on math, language, and literacy.
“Kindergarten readiness is at the core of our mission,” said Education Supervisor Allison Schmeidel. “That includes building social emotional skills.”
Besides preschool, CCCC also provides weekly home visits with a family educator to support parenting skills, assess children’s developmental milestones, and connect families with social services. They also provide programs for parents to learn financial literacy and parenting skills, as well as social gatherings that bring families together.