KRESA Head Start Resources

Kalamazoo RESA Head start is committed to providing comprehensive health support to all families.

• Health Compact (Spanish)
• Health Requirements
• Parent Letter for Health Appraisal (Spanish)
• Health Appraisal Form
• Medical Statement to Request Special Meals
• Record of Dental Services

A Family Advocate team is assigned to each classroom to provide further support and act as a liaison between families, program staff and the community. They will conduct home visits with each family throughout the program year. The Family Advocate will
work to build a trusting and collaborative partnership with your family to provide support to assist in meeting the needs of your child(ren) and family. We believe that parents are their child’s first and most important teacher. Your Family Advocate will
encourage you to become an advocate for your child and family and be engaged in your child’s education through participation in the program.

We plan to support you by identifying your strengths and achieving various goals you set for yourself and family. These goals may include health, family engagement, transitions and/or wellbeing.

Family Advocates can also make referrals for your family to outside community organizations, as needed or requested.

Click here for a full list of events.

• Advocacy Services for Kids (ASK)
  Is a non-profit community organization that serves families and their children who have developmental, mood, emotional or behavioral challenges at no cos to the family.

• Born Learning
  Born Learning is a public engagement campaign that helps parents, grandparents and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities.

• Child Care Resources
  Help find quality childcare or get help with what to look for when finding Child Care Resources is a Great Start Regional Child Care Resource Center, one of nine across Michigan. The Regional Child Care Resource Centers coordinate supports and services for child care providers across all settings, and coordinates supports and services for families searching for licensed and registered child care. Questions? Contact Ella Fabel Ryder at CCR, call 800-343-3470, ext. 227 or email Ella@CCR4kids.org.

• Kalamazoo Public Library
  A good resource for information of all sorts.

• Michigan Alliance for Families
  Michigan Alliance for Families provides information, support, and education for families who have children (birth through 26 years of age) who receive (or may be eligible to receive) special education services. This website can help you with finding information on educational issues as well as disability specific information.

• PBS
  Link to find your local PBS television schedule or to find games for kids. Also a great resource for PBS Parents.

• Preprimary Evaluation Team (PET)
  The PET program provides developmental assessment and planning for children ages birth through 6-years-old who reside within one of the following school districts: Climax-Scotts, Comstock, Galesburg-Augusta, Gull Lake, Kalamazoo, Parchment, Portage, Schoolcraft, or Vicksburg.

• Project Find Michigan
  Build Up helps parents and their children, ages 3 through 5, get additional educational support as they begin and continue to learn the skills needed to enter kindergarten.

• State of Michigan Great Start Website
  Link to the Great Start website for the entire state of Michigan.

• Zero to Three
  Information for professionals and parents. Zero to Three also keeps you updated on what is happening in public policy in Michigan for young children.

Kalamazoo RESA Head Start transportation services are contracted through Dean Transportation. KRESA Head Start is committed to providing transportation to as many families as possible.

• You may be offered transportation for your child to the site/classroom, however, transportation is not guaranteed.
• First priority is given to families who have children that need to be picked up or dropped off at child care and/or live more than 1 mile from the classroom site.
• In order to receive transportation families must live within the route area.
• Transportation services are not door-to-door.
   

Note: The health and safety of students and transportation staff are of paramount importance. Students and staff are required to wear face masks/coverings, use hand sanitizer, conduct a daily health screener, and practice physical distancing when possible. Buses are disinfected between each route.

For questions or concerns about Head Start transportation, please call Dean Transportation at (269) 250-9861.

Clothing
Please dress your child in comfortable play clothes. Children's clothing must be easy for them to manage. Belts, buckles and snaps can become frustrating for preschoolers, so please keep this in mind. Children will be involved in messy activities such as painting, gluing, play dough, and sand/water play. We recommend each child brings a change of clothes at school in case it is needed (shirt, pants, underwear, socks). Please label all clothing and keep sizes and seasons in mind.
 
The best shoes for school are tennis or rubber soled shoes. Other shoes may be dangerous both in the classroom and outside. Please - no open-toed shoes. When your child wears boots to school, be sure to send shoes to wear in the classroom. When jewelry is worn by children to school, Head Start will not be responsible for items that are lost, broken or given away. Therefore, please leave all jewelry at home. 
 
Outdoor Learning
Outdoor learning is a part of our daily classroom routine. All children go outside to play unless it is too cold or raining. During the winter months, please make sure your child has a jacket, snow pants, boots, hat, and mittens. 
 
Classroom Expectations
Our classroom expectations:

• Always be KIND
• Be SAFE
• CARE for the environment

 
Toilet Training
Toilet training is a normal process for children of this age, and we at Head Start understand that each child will learn this at their own pace. Regardless of whether your child is toilet trained or not, we ask that parents send a complete change of clothing to school as accidents do happen. We provide pull-ups.
 
If your child soils themself at school, staff will change them and send home the soiled clothing. Please make sure to send another change of clothing to school the next day.
 
If your child is experiencing problems with toilet training, we will work with you and your child. Since toilet training is a very important step in your child's development, we encourage you to take an active role to help make the experience a positive one. 

If you need any assistance, please reach out to your family advocate.