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Palm Springs Unified expands Early Head Start toddler classrooms to 40 children across three sites
Summary
District staff described expansion of Early Head Start toddler classrooms to 40 children (from 16) across Desert Highland, two classrooms at Coyote Run and one at Arroyo De Paz, highlighted curriculum, 1:4 staffing ratios for toddlers and partnerships with the city and Riverside County Office of Education.
District officials told the Palm Springs Unified School District board on Dec. 9 that the Early Head Start toddler program has expanded from two classrooms serving 16 toddlers in 2024-25 to five classrooms serving about 40 two- and three-year-olds in 2025-26.
Linda Rodriguez, the district's early childhood coordinator, presented the educational services update and described the program model. The toddler classrooms use the HighScope curriculum, operate with a maximum 1:4 teacher-to-child ratio, include a paraprofessional and a classroom floater, and incorporate social-emotional supports such as a calming zone. The program conducts screening (Ages & Stages Questionnaires and ASQ:SE) within the first 45 days to identify needs and make referrals to Inland Regional Center and other services when appropriate.
Rodriguez described family engagement practices including a required 15-minute parent drop-in period at Arroyo De Paz where parents participate in a classroom activity with their child. She said the program does not require children to be potty trained and that there is no tuition, though families must meet income eligibility; she recommended interested families join the waitlist because classrooms are currently full.
Board members asked about capacity, cost to families and enrollment windows; staff clarified program eligibility (ages 2 to 3 for the toddler program, then transition into Head Start at age 3), staffing qualifications and professional development supports provided through Riverside County Office of Education and district TOSAs. The board thanked the ECE team for the program's work.
The presentation also included photos of classrooms and playground renovations completed in collaboration with the city and Riverside County Office of Education.
