KAPA‘A — The “Time for Me” program at the KIDS (Kauai Independent Daycare Services) preschool here got a boost from the Young Brothers Community Advisory Board when the board approved a $1,000 grant to help the school’s program which is
KAPA‘A — The “Time for Me” program at the KIDS (Kauai Independent Daycare Services) preschool here got a boost from the Young Brothers Community Advisory Board when the board approved a $1,000 grant to help the school’s program which is geared towards helping a special-needs program for at-risk children.
According to KIDS School Director Phyllis Kunimura, the pilot program for “Time for Me” was initiated in January, 1999, and during the four years it has been in place at the preschool, grants have funded the program each year, the latest benefactor being the Young Brothers CAB.
Lisa Ho, a recent graduate of Oregon State University with a degree in early childhood education, was introduced to CAB representatives Wanda Shibata and Eldean Scott as the person who will spearhead the “Time for Me” program at KIDS.
Kunimura explained that the grant funds will be used to help with the “Time for Me” efforts, and also to maintain affordable tuition for working parents who send their children to the school.
“Through the ‘Time for Me’ program, we have been able to help children who need more time to develop socially, physically, emotionally, and cognitively,” Kunimura said.
Ho, in her role in the program, will coordinate and work with students, teachers, and parents in giving the children the needed time element for their growth.
“Having completed four years of this program, we are convinced of the importance of early intervention as a preventative measure,” Kunimura said. “By identifying needs early in the child’s preschool years, we can initiate strategies and curriculum changes that best address each child’s uniqueness to make their transition into preschool and kindergarten easier and more effective.”
Kunimura explained that this is a unique program within the state, and is similar to the federal No Child Left Behind law being implemented by leaders in the state Department of Education.
“With over 25 years’ experience as a kindergarten teacher, I have seen many children enter school with behavior problems and/or learning difficulties.
If early intervention did not take place, these same behaviors and difficulties followed the child through the grades,” Kunimura explained.
“In fact, these patterns only intensified as the child matured. As a preschool owner and director for the past 15 years, I now feel the need to take the opportunity to implement a unique early-identification and intervention program that will make a difference, and offer every child entering KIDS School the chance to have a really ‘Good Beginning,” Kunimura added.
Kunimura said KIDS School services children from Hanalei to as far away as ‘Ele‘ele from their Kapa‘a facility.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
