HCS is in partnership with the NC Pre-K Smart Start Program and Title I Federal Program to provide qualifying students five-star early learning experiences. The NC Pre-K Program Requirements are designed for eligible four-year-old children. The Title I Federal Program allows three-year-olds with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP)to attend the early learning program as well.   The HCS Pre-K Program meets the NC Child Care Rules.  

Benchmarks include: 

• comprehensive Early Learning Standards;
• staff meet education & licensure requirements, professional development;
• 1:10 staff to child ratio, Teacher & Teacher Assistant;
• developmental screenings and referral;
• evidence-based curriculum and formative assessments;
• monitoring and nutritional requirements, and
• Parent-teacher conferences, and student follow up.

HCS’ Pre-K Curriculum includes: 

• Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ^®-3 screening tool)
• The Creative Curriculum for Preschool
• Teaching Strategies Gold (online student portfolio)

Each HCS Pre-K classroom uses an approved curriculum that aligns with the North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development as set forth in the NC Child Care Rules. The curriculum is comprehensive, evidence-based, and has a reading component. It also includes a screening tool and student portfolio. 

The Ages and Stages Questionnaire is a Pre-K developmental screening tool.  Parents and guardians respond to questions to help create their child’s school readiness snapshot. The comprehensive screening tool reliably measures development in 5 key domains: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social.

The Creative Curriculum for Preschool is based on five fundamental principles:

1. Positive interactions and relationships with adults provide a critical foundation for successful learning.
2. Social–emotional competence is a significant factor in school success.
3. Constructive, purposeful play supports essential learning.
4. The physical environment affects the type and quality of learning interactions.
5. Teacher–family partnerships promote development & learning

The Creative Curriculum for Preschool features exploration and discovery as a way of learning. Robust Daily Resources provide the instructional tools and materials to engage children in project-based investigations and make every moment of the day meaningful, intentional, and engaging.

Teaching Strategies Gold is a systematic observation-based formative assessment tool with a fixed plan and structure. The tool is used to gather individualized student data throughout the day.

The North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development guide (referred to as Foundations), serves as a shared vision for what the state of NC wants for its children and answers the question “What should we be helping children learn before kindergarten?” 

The North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development Guide explains, that children’s experiences before they enter school matter—and that research shows children who experience high-quality care and education, and who enter school well prepared, are more successful in school and later in their lives. North Carolina has been a national leader in the effort to provide high-quality care and education for young children. Programs and services such as NC Pre-K promote children’s learning and development.

By providing a common set of Goals and Developmental Indicators for children from birth through kindergarten entry, our hope is that parents, educators, administrators, and policy makers can together do the best job possible to provide experiences that help children be well prepared for success in school and life. You will find that the guide provides important information that parent and guardians need in order to use Foundations effectively. The purpose of the guide is discussed, how it should be used, and what’s included. Questions that you might have are also listed with a response, all in an effort to help parents and guardians to understand and use Foundations as a guide for what we want children to learn during their earliest years.

View the Guide

The Halifax County Schools Pre-K Parent Handbook serves as a comprehensive guide to help families navigate their child’s early learning experience. It includes important information about daily routines, curriculum goals, health and safety procedures, attendance policies, and parent involvement opportunities. This resource is designed to support a strong home-school partnership and ensure a smooth and successful start to your child’s educational journey.

View the Handbook