A Stepping Stone Foundation, Preschool, Family Literacy, Phoenix, Arizona

Parent Survey, September 2006

A Stepping Stone Foundation's Governing Board underwent a strategic and action planning session in October, 2006, facilitated by Dolores Casillas, an independent consultant. As part of this process, Dolores conducted a phone survey of 11 of our parents from last year's program randomly chosen (2 or 3 from each of 5 classrooms). She asked the three questions you see below with all anonymous parent responses listed.

"What did you like about the program?"

1) Communication, treatment of kids, volunteered there and helped out. We found out about how to treat children, our roles as parents, we were like friends there.

2) Everything, I was very happy. The teacher was very good with my child. He learned a lot. I can't pick one thing as I liked everything.

3) Everything, my 2 children were with the same teacher. They teach them social skills, learn the letters, alphabet, their address.

4) He had problems with speech and they gave him therapy. I liked how they explained everything. I liked it a lot. He learned a lot, like how to go to the bathroom, raise his hands, wash his hands, etc.

5) My son spoke little English. He liked school. He learned how to behave in class. He learned colors, English, the numbers, he learned a lot. The teachers would come to my house to give him private lessons once a month. I took ESL, participated in parties.

6) No complaints. (The Teacher) is excellent, loves my daughter. (Name deleted), the other son is now in her class.

7) She learned a lot. The communication was excellent. They understood her needs. She learned fast. I took the ESL classes, helped out in the classroom and the child care area.

8) Since February, the teacher told me my daughter was ready for 1st grade. She learned a lot, her address, social skills. She liked it a lot, it's a very complete program.

9) Talking with teachers and being around them, was easy to ask questions even if they were not education in nature.

10) They helped Alex a lot. He was rebellious, would fight, didn't know how to share. He's a totally different child. I participated in helping the teacher. I was a teacher! We had chats about the kids and women's health.

11) Time I spent with my daughter in class and the speech therapy. We had a nice place to play, books to read, different activities.

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"What changes would you like to see occur in this program?"

1) Everything is good - I would have liked to have had him in the program longer.

2) Everything is good the way it is.

3) Everything that was offered is very good. The help we received as parents was very good also. At Christmas time they helped us out with presents, they give you advise, tips on what helps your children learn.

4) Everything was excellent all year long. I wouldn't have any recommendations. The same when my son was there, we had an excellent experience.

5) I had beautiful experiences. I loved everything. I'm very satisfied, the children learned a lot. They get them ready for Kindergarten. They do their work extremely well.

6) In my opinion everything was very good. It doesn't need any changes.

7) It's a great program. I wouldn't recommend any changes. My son learned a lot. It would be good for the hours to be longer, they were dismissed at 11:30, maybe noon or 1 but I understand the children can be a handful.

8) It's perfect, would like to see the program grow so more children can benefit. The capacity is not enough to meet the demand, many children go without services because the programs fill up quickly.

9) More classrooms, I'm in the Granada district and the room was closed so I went to Westwood. I know of 3 families who have children who aren't able to attend this year as the classroom is filled to capacity.

10) More funds are needed so more children can take advantage of it.

11) Nothing.

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"Of the services you received, what was the most helpful?"

1) Attended ESL and learned a lot, teachers served as my role models. My son was very solitary, didn't like to play with other children. He became independent and free to distance himself from me. Teachers are loving, structured, & disciplined.

2) Family literacy program helped me to understand how to help my son. I spent time there playing with him and learning along with him. He learned social and life skills. As an only child, was aggressive with other children, he's turned around 100% has friends.

3) For me the communication with the teachers about my child. Now that he's in Kindergarden (K), if they don't understand me at school, they push me aside and disregard me. Westwood made sure my questions were answered. My daughter was timid, now social, and ready for K.

4) For me, how to treat children at home. The provided tips on how to manage behavior, games to play with them such as manipulatives, how to and what to teach them, child dev. Behavior has improved, parent/child relationship is better; he likes me participating with him.

5) For me, the ESL classes, I learned English. For my daughter, she learned social skills, how to share with others, numbers, alphabet, how to tie her shoes and other types of life skills.

6) I benefited from the ESL classes, I learned to play with her, how to read to her, we had time with other parents. Crystal learned social skills, had her speech therapy, and gained academic skills.

7) I benefited from the ESL classes. They changed the teacher this past year, the teacher before that was very good, I think I learned more from the first teacher although, the second was good too. My child learned colors, letters and got ready for Kinder.

8) My son learned how to get a long with others, great social skills, they prepared him for Kindergarten, and he knows more about discipline. This was helpful for me as well.

9) The chats about women health, I seldom did it. Now I do. My child learned English and to be well behaved. He would not share with others and now he does.

10) The parent time helped me a lot. Before I would cower. I learned that I'm the principal teacher. I have no words to express my gratitude and satisfaction. My daughter is very calm. She learned her colors, shapes, songs, learned to read. We both learn a lot and it we were very invested. She listens to the teacher and follows the rules. The experience has prepared her for Kindergarten. She's extremely well prepared.

11) Family literacy - I'm concerned that it's at risk for getting deleted as part of the program. Getting rid of this program would harm the kids. There is a great difference between kids who participate in preschool and go into Kindergarten versus those kids who do not.

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Last updated on: 5 February, 2008