Written by Tom Walsh, BFA Fairfax Elementary School Principal
Addresses all FWSU Action Plan Targets:
Proficiency-Based, Personalized Learning
Distributed Leadership and Student Agency
Safe, Equitable, Healthy, Flexible Learning Environments
Engaged Partners: Parents and Community
We are really proud of our BFA Fairfax Preschool program for achieving recognition as a Five STARS program. Our Preschool team works diligently to provide high-quality education and experiences that form the foundation for a lifetime of learning for our youngest students.
In recent years, the STARS program has gone through an in-depth revision process that now requires programs to develop and implement a Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQI). To obtain a 5 STARS level, the CQI Plan must demonstrate proficiency within the Adult-Child Interactions, Family & Youth Engagement, and Responsive Practices content areas, while providing supporting evidence of the implementation of these areas. Our BFA-Fairfax Preschool team worked together creating a CQI plan that not only reached our goal of maintaining a 5 STARS level but will also be used by the State of Vermont’s Child Development Division as an example for other programs to follow. This is a true honor for our Preschool team and for our school as STARS continues to grow statewide.
Early education plays a crucial role in the development of children and has far-reaching implications for their future success and well-being. The early years of a child's life are critical for brain development. High-quality early education programs provide fun and exciting environments that support cognitive growth, laying a strong foundation for future learning.
Early education provides opportunities for children to interact with their peers and to develop social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and empathy. They also learn to regulate their emotions and behavior, which are essential skills for building healthy relationships later in life.
Early childhood is also a period of rapid language development. Exposure to meaningful language environments in early education settings helps children develop vocabulary, communication skills, and pre-literacy skills, which are fundamental for academic success.
Participation in early education programs prepares children for Kindergarten by introducing them to routines, structure, and basic academic concepts. Children who attend high-quality preschools are more likely to start school ready to learn. Research shows that children who participate in early education programs are more likely to graduate from high school, pursue higher education, and have higher earning potential as adults.
Early education programs involve families in their child's learning process, fostering strong parent-child relationships and providing families with resources and support to be actively involved in their child's education.
We are incredibly proud of our Preschool team, students, and families for their ongoing work to provide a responsive, play-based learning environment. We look forward to the opening of the new classrooms in the coming years as we continue to serve our community.