Community Early Care and Education Partnerships supported by SPPS Office of Early Learning
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We recognize families select early care and education locations based on
- knowledge of their children,
- location,
- shared values,
- shared child rearing practices,
- cost,
- cultural identity,
- language,
- and more.
The goal of early care partnerships is to impact child outcomes by working with adults to support connections and experiences that matter in healthy child development.Who do we partner with?
SPPS Office of Early Learning partners with adults and early care and education sites who support the growth and development of children birth through age 5. Partners can include:- Adults in St. Paul who nurture and educate children regularly. This can include stay-at-home parents, primary caregivers, grandparents, guardians, foster care providers, as well as Family-Friend-Neighbors who care for children while their primary caregiver is away.
- Family Providers and Center Providers within St. Paul who nurture and educate children regularly.
- Licensed and non-licensed providers
What does a partnership look like?
Our Early Care and Education partnerships are supported by our team of Partnerships Coordinators in the Office of Early Learning. Our partnerships range in depth, time, and commitment, so partners can experience the right fit for them.Based on the partnership level, partner interactions happen in varying frequencies and spaces, and provide different content. Partnership spaces can include, but are not limited to, at home, in parks, in early care centers, or online.The partnership level also determines the community connections and experiences, which include:- tangible materials
- connection to community partners
- access to community experiences
- early and direct notification of Office of Early Learning supported events
- access to our Early Care and Education Lending Resource Library
- connection to early childhood screening
- opportunities for professional development
- instructional support and coaching
We offer three levels of partnership: levels 1, 2, and 3, with each having its own benefits. See the tabs below for partnership levels and prerequisites.I want to participate! What is the cost?
Partnerships at any level are of no financial cost to adults or early care and education sites. Depending upon the level of partnership, your cost may include releasing your staff to attend professional development.I want to participate or want more information! What do I do?
Scroll down and complete the Partner Interest Form below.
Levels of Partnerships
Level 1
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ECE Partnership - Level 1
Saint Paul Public Schools Office of Early Learning aims to partner with families and communities through initiatives for our young learners. Partnerships Coordinators coordinate systems of support through a mixed service delivery approach. We offer a variety of opportunities that work well for the families and communities we serve.
As a Level 1 partner, a Parent Aware rating is not required. The benefits of your participation include:
- Materials and resources for on-time kindergarten registration;
- Resources for Early Childhood Screening;
- Invitations to participate in annual STEPS and networking opportunities offered to all partners;
- Access to partner incentives and our Early Care and Education Resource Library; and
- Summer Fun Booklets for eligible children.
Your commitment would include:
- A signed Partnership Plan;
- Limited ECE Provider/Owner/Director/Manager consultation;
- Distribution of materials and resources to families; and
- Sharing your partnership enthusiasm with others!
Level 2
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ECE Partnership - Level 2
Saint Paul Public Schools Office of Early Learning aims to partner with families and communities through initiatives for our young learners.
Partnerships Coordinators coordinate systems of support through a mixed service delivery approach. We offer a variety of opportunities that work well for the families and communities we serve.
As a Level 2 partner, a Parent Aware rating is not required. The benefits of your participation include:
- All benefits offered to Level 1 partners:
- Materials and resources for on-time kindergarten registration;
- Resources for Early Childhood Screening;
- Invitations to participate in annual STEPS and networking opportunities offered to all partners;
- Access to partner incentives and our Early Care and Education Resource Library; and
- Summer Fun Booklets for eligible children
- Invitations to shared professional development opportunities offered exclusively to Level 3 ECE partners.
- Limited ECE Owner/Director/Manager consultation
- Initiation of a partnership with a Saint Paul Public School for the purpose of Kindergarten transition
Your commitment would include:
- Bimonthly ECE Owner/Director/Manager consultations and resource sharing with a Partnerships Coordinator
- Distribution of materials and resources to families
- Follow-up on initiated SPPS school partnership
- A signed Partnership Plan
- Sharing your partnership enthusiasm with others!
- All benefits offered to Level 1 partners:
Level 3
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ECE Partnership - Level 3
Saint Paul Public Schools Office of Early Learning aims to partner with families and communities through initiatives for our young learners.
Partnerships Coordinators coordinate systems of support through a mixed service delivery approach. We offer a variety of opportunities that work well for the families and communities we serve.
As a Level 3 partner, a Parent Aware rating is required. The benefits of your participation include:
- All benefits offered to Level 1 and 2 partners:
- Materials and resources for on-time kindergarten registration;
- Resources for Early Childhood Screening;
- Invitations to participate in annual STEPS and networking opportunities offered to all partners;
- Access to partner incentives and our Early Care and Education Resource Library; and
- Summer Fun Booklets for eligible children
- Regular instructional modeling and coaching;
- Annual professional development for the purpose of continual experience through Kindergarten transition and instructional best practices;
- Training and implementation support for Early Childhood Workshop;
- Customized on-site parent education and engagement opportunities;
- Onsite, or near-site, Early Childhood Screening;
- Customized Kindergarten transition experiences for eligible children;
- Relationships with staff at nearby SPPS sites for the benefit of children, families, and ECE staff;
- ECE Provider/Owner/Director/Manager consultation;
- Participation in a biannual early language, literacy and environment assessment for information and goal setting;
- Support for sustainability or growth of current Parent Aware rating;
Your commitment would include:
- Distribution of materials and resources to families
- Support for Early Childhood Screening Kindergarten registration, Kindergarten Transition Follow-ups, and Parent Education/Engagement opportunities
- Participation in biannual CHELLO assessment and ongoing goal setting
- Ongoing follow-up with SPPS site
- Availability for regular Director/Provider consultations
- Availability for regular Cognitive Coaching
- Participation in professional development
- Implementation of Early Childhood Workshop along with internal fidelity checks and support
- Signed Collaborative Agreement
- All benefits offered to Level 1 and 2 partners:
Families
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Information for Families
Saint Paul Public Schools Office of Early Learning aims to partner with families and communities through initiatives for our young learners. Partnerships Coordinators coordinate systems of support through a mixed service delivery approach. We offer a variety of opportunities that work well for the families and communities we serve. We will work with your provider to provide support for child and family success.
Based on the partnership level chosen, your child, family, and their provider may experience some or all of the following benefits:
- Resources and materials to support Kindergarten transition;
- Invitations to participate in STEPS opportunities;
- On-site, or near-site, Early Childhood Screening;
- Relationships with staff at nearby Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS);
- Invitations to networking opportunities offered to all partners;
- Support for sustainability or growth of current Parent Aware rating;
- Access to SPPS partner incentives; and
- Regular interaction with SPPS Office of Early Learning staff for the benefit of children, families, and providers.
The benefits for your child and family:
- Children and families become familiar with practices a child might experience in Kindergarten.
- Children and their families have access to resources supporting a child’s development.
- Providers increase awareness of the schools their children could attend and build relationships there.
- Your provider is supported in maintaining their Parent Aware status through best practices.
- Participation is ongoing for a full academic year.
Testimonials
Our partnership has been such an easy and fun experience for my family. My child has access to toys and learning materials that she normally wouldn't have. Everything is brought to and picked up from my doorstep; convenient! - Hannah, Partner since 2021
Our families were more informed and involved through the opportunities our coach offered. - Danette, Partner since 2015
I truly enjoyed being in a space where children of all ages are growing and learning at a developmentally appropriate pace that meets the needs of the child and their families. - Nee X., Partnerships Coordinator
