5.7
Home-based Socials
A Head Start program that operates the home-based option must ensure that group socialization events (e.g. Home-based Socials) are planned jointly with families, conducted with both the child and parent/guardian participation, and occur within a classroom, community facility, home or field trip setting.
Home-based socials are held to bring together children who are part of the Home-based program in order to socialize with other children and their families who would normally not have the opportunity to meet one another. These socials are meant to provide a positive, social experience for the children and their parents/families together.
Home-based Socials must be structured to:
- Provide age-appropriate activities for participating children that are intentionally aligned with:
- School readiness goals
- The Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, and
- The home-based curriculum
- Encourage parents to share experiences related to their children’s development with other parents in order to strengthen parent-child relationships
- Help promote parents understanding of child development
Attendance
Attendance is not mandatory although it should be highly encouraged. Parents may choose whether to attend the social or not.
Frequency, Duration & Location
Shasta Head Start offers 22 Socializations per program year (Two per month with the exception of July and December) Four socializations per program year will contain a Parent Center Committee Meeting (a.k.a. “Parent Meeting”) component. Refer to the SOP 5.5.3 Parent Center Committee Meetings for more information. Each socialization will last for two hours and follow along with the Group Socialization Plan (see Group Socialization Plan).
The location for the social may vary depending on the center or centers involved and may include an on-site classroom, cottage, community resource center or other location.
Refer to the SOP 5.7.1 Socialization Site for more information on socialization site options.
Requirements
In order to attend a social, children must meet specific requirements including:
- Each child must be up-to-date on immunizations
- A CHDP or well-child exam has been completed
- If a child has food/drink allergies, the child must have a Cook’s Diet Order prior to attending the social. For more information, refer to the SOP Individual Nutrition Plan.
- Siblings and other family members (e.g. grandparents) are encouraged to attend socials. However, encourage parents not to bring children who are not at an appropriate age for the space or activities planned.
Note: Waitlisted children may attend socials if they meet these requirements.
For Safety Requirements – refer to the SOP Socialization Site
Tips for a successful social
To ensure a successful Home-based social:
- Ensure that parents/families are involved and included in the event. For example, encourage the parents to:
- Engage in activities with their child
- Read to the children
- Set up tables for mealtime
- Help with clean up
- Record the meeting minutes during the parent meeting
- Ensure safety requirements are followed.