Jumpstart at The W

What is Jumpstart?

Jumpstart is a national program that has been training college students for 25 years in early childhood development, specifically language, literacy, and social- emotional. Jumpstart operates at many university campuses in Mississippi. The MUW Jumpstart program has been serving young children in our community for seven years. Through a proven curriculum, these children develop skills they need to be ready for school, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap before it is too late. Jumpstart's mission is to work toward the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed (no matter what the family's income, status, or zip code is – which are all indicators of a child's success in school, according to research).

What is required?

• MUW college students of all majors are eligible to join Jumpstart. MUW CPDC Federal Work-Study students are encouraged to join Jumpstart because those hours count towards Jumpstart program service and double-dip in the benefits.
• Corps members receive high-quality pre-service & mid-year training to help them implement Jumpstart's outcome-based program, promote children's school success, and build family involvement.
• Corps members pledge to complete 300 hours of service during the fall & spring school year. Corps members serve part-time, 10-15 hours per week during the school year.

What are the qualifications & experience?

• Corps members must exhibit dedication to early childhood education through the required training and ongoing observation & feedback for program quality assurance.
• Corps members must display a commitment to service and professionalism.

What are the compensations & benefits?

• Jumpstart members devote an academic year to serving in a local preschool classroom. Corps members can earn a yearly Segal education award (approximately $1,400) to pay for tuition, loans, or other qualified expenses at the completion of the year. Mississippi may also offer a $1000 bonus stipend for yearly service.
• Qualifying corps members have the potential to earn Federal Work-Study (hourly pay of $8 working 10-19 hours per week) during their term of service working and serving in classrooms. Our early childhood program partner is The W’s Child and Parent Development Center (CPDC), located on campus at the Education and Human Sciences building. (No worries if you don’t have a car!) Check with the Office of Financial Aid to see if you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
• Corps members have the unique opportunity to enhance knowledge and skills in early childhood education while joining AmeriCorps, a national network that earns community service hours. This invaluable opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young children from our community will set you apart from others in future career options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where & when do Corps members serve?

• The campus childcare center and practicum preschool, The Child and Parent Development Center, serves as our program partner site.
• In addition to the "Jumpstart Sessions," members also visit the program partner site to serve the children through " individual classroom assistance." The days and times of this service are based on the Corps members' availability in cooperation with the site's classroom schedule.
• "Independent planning" and "team planning meetings" are also requirements to prepare for the Jumpstart Sessions. These hours of preparation (including the "Jumpstart Sessions" and "individual classroom assistance" services) all count within the total 10-15 hours of weekly service.

What is a "Jumpstart Session?"

Upon completion of training, the team of college students (known as Corps members of Jumpstart) goes into our program partner sites to host "Jumpstart Sessions" with the 3-5-year-olds. The sessions are part of Jumpstart's supplemental curriculum. You do not create your lessons or ideas; researched educators have already designed everything. You just take the session plan, plan for the activities (with the provided materials available to you, so no out-of-own pocket expenses), and deliver it to the children with your assigned team of Corps members. You will have opportunities within the Session to work with children in whole groups, small groups, and one on one. You will not be alone; you will serve the children with your team of fellow Jumpstart Corps members and receive support & guidance from classroom teachers and staff.

What is "Individual Classroom Assistance?"

This service is an excellent opportunity for individual Corps members to visit the site independently to assist the classroom teachers in any learning activities and to have fun while building relationships with your special little "Jumpstart buddies." These service hours can occur any day or time that fits your personal/course schedule in cooperation with your site's classroom schedule. The CPDC is open for hours from 7:30-5:30.

What type of individual or team preparation is required?

Not all 10-15 weekly hours are served at the sites and with the children. Some of your service (usually 1-2 hours a week) is completed on your own time, preparing for your sessions (both individually and as a team). This preparation involves reviewing the week's Session Plan, practicing the storybook read-aloud and songs, and preparing games, crafts, or activities. Materials needed to prepare for sessions are provided to Corps members. However, if you have any personal materials or props that can enhance the Session, that is welcomed too.