EFS Program

4 Steps For 21 years EFS has partnered with existing childcare and preschool centers, working to provide the ingredients needed to help children overcome the barriers of poverty using our “Four Steps to Excellence” approach:

Step 1: “Probation”- This step lasts for up to 6 months. All centers enter the EFS program on Step 1. Training and weekly mentoring from EFS is given.
Step 2: “Working Toward Excellence”- Centers in this step are working to improve quality to the standards of national accreditation. Training and weekly mentoring from EFS is given. College scholarships and materials are provided.
Step 3: “Maintaining Accreditation Standards”- This is a one year period following accreditation. Center staff continue to receive training, college scholarships, and regular support from EFS during this step.
Step 4: “Community Partner”- Centers in this step have reached accreditation or maintain a quality equal to accreditation. Support from EFS is given on an as-needed basis.

*Enrichment programs, teacher training and parent education are offered at every level.

Mentoring

EFS provides consistent onsite mentoring and consulting. Well-trained Program Specialists lend their expertise and hands-on guidance to assisted child care center directors and teachers in all areas of their programs which affect children ages 0 to 5.

Accreditation

EFS guides assisted centers through the process to accreditation by an established accrediting organization such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children ( NAEYC ) or The National Association of Child Care Professionals ( NACCP ).

Quality Learning Materials

EFS provides necessary age-appropriate materials and furnishings to ensure the classroom environments are conducive to learning.

Enrichment Programs

EFS provides learning opportunities outside of the child care centers for children, families, teachers and directors.

Field trips are currently offered to the Dallas Zoo, the Dallas Arboretum, the Museum of Nature and Science, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum at no cost to the centers.

Each year Family Literacy Day is held to offer families a chance to experience a day of fun that centers around literacy based activities. Well-known authors and children's entertainers are on hand to encourage the message that reading to children is fundamental.

An annual Director Resource Fair is held each fall to share EFS' Program and Education offerings for the upcoming school year. Directors have the opportunity to network with other EFS assisted directors as well as other community agencies and vendors. Lunch, door prizes and educational materials are provided to the directors in attendance.