LEWISTON – Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care has announced that 98 percent of 4- and 5-year-old children participating in the program achieved kindergarten readiness skills, including children with disabilities. These statistics were for the academic year September 2007 to June 2008.

During fall 2007, 37 percent of children in the program were prepared to begin kindergarten. Testing in winter 2008 found that the number rose to 68 percent, and at the end of the academic year, 98 percent of all Head Start children, age 4 to 5, were prepared to begin school in the fall.

To determine outcomes, Androscoggin Head Start follows strict procedures. Creative Curriculum, developed by Teaching Strategies, is utilized by teachers and family educators in all Head Start programs to plan developmentally appropriate activities.

Data is collected on each child three times a year, and reports indicate individual classroom progress, agency progress and comparisons for programs.

Data is reviewed to identify areas of training and support needed to improve outcomes. The data is also used to identify training plans for the agency and classrooms.

Applications for Head Start programs are accepted at any time. Call 795-4040 for more information or visit www.androkids.com/.