Comments from parents about Barriers Accessing:
They do not have a clear understanding of what Transitional Kindergarten is and they do not know anything about Universal Preschool. They said, What is that?
The barriers families face are hours of operation and location of sites.
They said the barriers can be addressed by keeping Head Start centers available, more hours of operation, and letting parents know of all the requirements they need to have.
Many parents said they don’t have access to the correct information, sustainable curriculum, staff shortages, and untrained staff. Parents said they need more center openings, hours, and locations. Also, financially, they said they are not able to afford high-quality UPK school programs.
Parents would like more diffusion in all types of media, such as radio, TV, social media networks, and with pediatricians. They want to have easy and free access or government-funded programs for working families or single parents. More information such as emails, handouts, and letters or work with the family health centers to refer all children.
Parents would like more information, such as surveys and handouts. They want to know what’s available to parents to help their children get a better education. More resources for refugees & English language learners who don’t have the skills or the right resources in their community.
Some parents answered that they are familiar with UPK. They understand that it is early access to learning experience before kindergarten, an early education that allows children to expand their education. On the other hand, most of the parents said that they are not familiar with UPK and it’s difficult for some parents to participate due to the lack of availability and awareness.