First Step Program

Preschool Screening Appointments

Call in January to make your preschool screening appointment for the 2012-2013 VPI/Title I First Step preschool program. Classes begin September 4, 2012.

Call (757) 283-7788, x.12183 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. View informational flyer.

Please note: This does not apply to students currently enrolled in First Step.

First Step is a voluntary program which provides developmental school-readiness activities for 4 and 5 year olds. Download "First Step Facts."

Children are assigned to full day program depending on the school zone in which they live.
School and session assignments must be based on the home address of the child's parent/legal guardian.
A teacher and an assistant have about 18 children in each class.
Workshops and activities for parents are an important part of the program.
The program is free.
Transportation is provided to and from school, based on the home address of the child's parent/legal guardian.
First Step students enter kindergarten the following school year.

To be eligible for the program:

A child must live in a Newport News Public School zone and be 4 years old by September 30 to be eligible for First Step. Students turning five in October, November, or December of the school year may also be eligible. A preschool screening is required to be considered for this program. If your child turns four by September 30 or five in October, November or December, you may call (757)283-7788 ext. 12183 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to receive information on the required process for First Step. Also, to find the elementary school nearest you, use our online School Zone Finder.
Your child must be completely toilet trained.
A NNPS preschool screening is required. The preschool screening allows us to rank students according to greatest need for the program. We use this ranking list and accept students with the greatest need (lowest scores) first and then continue to accept children from the ranking list until all spaces are filled. Students who meet at least one of the following criteria are given priority on the ranking list:
- Have attended Even Start or Head Start within the past two years. (Written documentation from Even/Head Start will be required at the time of registration for First Step.)
- Have their 5th birthday in October, November or December and, therefore, are not eligible for kindergarten. (Birth certificate will be required at the time of registration for First Step.

Parents of children who have been screened are notified by letter, usually within 90 days of the screening, as to whether their child has been accepted in First Step. This letter will contain the information needed to register the child if he/she is accepted in the program.

Therefore, it is essential that we have the most current address/phone number. Parents should call (757)283-7788 x.12183 if this changes.

If accepted in the program, the child will be assigned to a school with First Step classes. School and session assignments must be based on the home address of the child's parent/legal guardian. The schools with First Step classes are:

Sites/school assignments may not be the same each year.

Parents play an important part in First Step. If a child is accepted in the program, the parents must:

Participate in parent meetings when requested.
Have a responsible person pick up the child at school, or meet the school bus on time every day.
Make sure their child wears the supplied name tag each day.
Complete the registration process when requested.

Please call 283-7788 ext. 12183 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to make an appointment for a preschool screening or if you have questions.

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First Step Program