For Parents

Parent & Educare Collaboration

Parent involvement is a major focus of Educare Central Maine.  We know that parents are their children’s most important teachers and strive to build relationships to support each child’s learning.  Some opportunities for parent involvement include:

  • Parent Committee Meetings
  • Policy Council
  • Input into Curriculum
  • Parent-Child Activity Days
  • Training, Support, and Networking Events
  • Volunteering
  • Planning Committees
  • And MORE!

Policy Council

Policy Council consists of selected classroom parents from all centers and acts as a governing body for Head Start. The Policy Council members help plan and develop program goals, approve various policies, approve hiring and firing decisions, and approve the budget and work plans.  By seeking ways to enrich their child’s experience in Head Start, parents also learn about nutrition, budget management, and the various concepts of child development and child-rearing.  Whether or not you are a representative, all parents have an open invitation to attend Policy Council meetings.  Policy Council meets a minimum of nine times per year.  The Council has three ad-hoc committees to deal with specific issues.

For more detailed information on Policy Council or to view the minutes from meetings, please click here.

Volunteer

Volunteers are an important and integral part of Educare Central Maine. Parents, grandparents, high school and college students, retired senior citizens, and other community members offer critical support to our program. Volunteers may join Educare School activities in classrooms or outdoors, such as reading to the children, joining creative play, planting, conducting ‘tricycle maintenance,’ and recruiting and guiding other volunteers. Volunteers may also assist with some general clerical tasks. ‘At-home’ activities such as sewing or knitting or donating recyclable materials for creative art projects are also welcomed! Volunteers may also choose to offer assistance to families with transportation needs.

So do you have a special skill to share with the children? Your talents are welcomed. Click here to fill out the volunteer form and someone will contact you shortly!