First Step

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

• Children are assigned to a half day or full day program depending on the school zone in which they live.
• School and session (a.m./p.m.) 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 881-5461 ext. 183 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 60 days of the screening, as to whether their child has been accepted in the Title I 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)881-5461 x.183 if this changes.

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

• Denbigh Early Childhood Center
• Lee Hall Early Childhood Center
• Magruder Early Childhood Center
• Watkins Early Childhood Center

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 (757)881-5461 x.183 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to make an appointment for a preschool screening or if you have questions.