Cardinal Preschool Participating in National Research Study

posted April 4, 2022

Cardinal Preschool (in partnership with Sieda Head Start) has agreed to participate in a national research study on the transition from preschool to kindergarten.

We are proud to be one of only six program partnerships in the country participating in the study and grateful to have been nominated and considered.

"I think this is a validation for everyone that has been involved with this partnership for 15 years," Joel Pedersen, Cardinal superintendent says. "The partners have always been focused on a quality early childhood experience and we appreciate the opportunity to share our story."

The Head Start to Kindergarten Transitions Project (HS2K) study is being done by NORC at the University of Chicago and its partners Child Trends and the National P-3 Center. The study is for the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to learn how to improve children's transitions from Head Start programs to elementary schools.

The study began in September 2019 and will end in September 2022. As part of the study, Cardinal Preschool will participate in a virtual site visit later this month, including voluntary interviews with selected Head Start and Cardinal staff members and a parent focus group. The interview topics will include Head Start and Cardinal's transition policies, professional support, family engagement, partnerships, and the transition process. The interviews will provide the research team with a larger picture of where our transition process succeeds and where it may need improvement.

"The strength of this preschool program begins from the top (administrative support) down to the actual 3Y and 4Y students and their families receiving comprehensive early childhood services by utilizing the Head Start model and performance standards," Pat McReynolds, Mahaska Wapello Early Childhood Iowa (a partner) area director, says. "The preschool program meets more than just children's academic needs, but also their social-emotional needs, health needs, emphasis on literacy and math needs and by encouraging positive protective factors that strengthen the entire family."

To meet children's needs, Sieda Head Start has several kindergarten readiness goals that our preschool team works with students to meet before they leave for elementary school, including that each student:

• Regulates own emotions and behaviors
• Takes care of own needs appropriately
• Establishes and maintains positive relationships
• Solves social problems
• Explores the visual arts, musical concepts and expression, dance and movement concepts, and drama through actions and language
• Demonstrates positive approaches to learning
• Listens to and understands increasingly complex language

Other goals account for how students approach learning, how they communicate, and their literacy. Read the full list of goals on our Kindergarten Readiness Goal Alignment document.

Kindergarten Readiness Goal Alignment

Participating in the study gives us a chance to further improve our program and learn from other preschools in the country.

"It is our goal to create a culture of professionals from different organizations that come together for the same goal — to provide the best experience possible for the student." Aimee Sivak, Cardinal early education director says.

While we're excited to learn where we can grow and what others are doing well, we're looking forward to sharing our experience of partnering with Head Start on location at our preschool.

"Most Head Start partnerships are stand-alone locations," says Tiffany Finch, Sieda on-site supervisor.

Our on-site partnership brings students of all income levels together, gives all students Head Start benefits like vision and dental screenings, and provides the same opportunities for all of our preschool students.

"By partnering with Head Start we have successfully broken any socio-economic barriers between our students and an opportunity for an education," Cameron Steinbach, Cardinal preschool teacher explains.  "Our free full-day preschool program provides transportation, quality learning experiences, and three meals a day to all of our students. The Cardinal/Head Start partnership is a win for the children and families of Iowa!"

We are thankful to all of our community partners who make our Cardinal Preschool program a success and look forward to sharing the results once available.