New Directions Early Head Start
Child Assessment
New Directions Early Head Start uses Teaching Strategies GOLD® to assess children’s developmental abilities, knowledge, and skills. This assessment system is used in both our Home Visiting and Center-Based programs to help staff understand each child’s growth and plan individualized learning experiences.
How Children Are Assessed
Teachers and Child and Family Specialists assess children primarily through observation during everyday routines, play, and interactions. These observations are compared with widely held expectations for children of the same age to better understand each child’s development.
Formal assessment checkpoints are completed three times each year—in November, March, and June.
Children’s development is assessed across the following areas:
- Social-Emotional Development
- Physical Development
- Language Development
- Cognitive Development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
Partnering With Families
Assessment results are shared with families during home visits or parent-teacher conferences. Staff and families use this information together to celebrate children’s progress, identify strengths, and plan experiences that support continued learning and development.
If there is a concern about a child’s development, NDEHS staff will discuss the concern with the family and, when appropriate, assist with a referral for additional evaluation or early intervention services.
Child Assessment Reports
Periodic assessment reports summarize children’s developmental progress and overall program outcomes.
