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6.01.2026

New Family Tools from the Department of Education

All families are different, in terms of composition and needs, but one thing that we have in common is that all families could use a little help. With that in mind, the Nevada Department of Education, Office of Early Learning and Development, through the Preschool Development Grant Birth – Five funding, have designed a series of tools to benefit families with different needs. 

Preschool Exploration Essentials (PSEE) – Helping kids transition to Pre-K and beyond.

Educating families on the importance of early learning will set the stage for a positive start to Pre-K (or Kindergarten) programs.  PSEE activities were designed for 3-4 year old children and will excite kids about learning and prepare families for what is needed for a strong foundation for education. 

Materials are based on the Nevada Pre-K standards, a book of guidelines for what children have generally learned by the time they enter kindergarten. 

 PSEE Goals and Objectives

• Families and children will work together to explore and create a strong foundation for learning. 

• Encourage families to understand the goals of learning for Pre-K. 

• Educate families on the importance of health and Social Emotional Learning in school preparedness.

Materials are available in 23 languages.

Student Success Plan – A communication tool for families with kids with complex needs.

If you have a child with complex medical or development needs, you know their health statistics and recommended learning preferences, but does that tell the story of who your child is?  

The Student Success Plan is an informal tool to help families effectively communicate their child's story, from what makes them smile, to the languages spoken at home, to their specific medical and educational needs, with their educational team. 

The Student Success Plan template was designed to provide information about a student during times of transition (when transitioning from home to school or between grades). Whether you fill in the boxes on the template or use it as inspiration to design an infographic on your child, you will not only set your child up for their best school year, but also help their educational team prepare their classrooms to make it accessible for all of their students. 

This tool is available in English and Spanish.
Note: This tool does not take the place of a Formal IEP or 504 plan. 

New Parent Booklet – Help to meet the needs of new parents.

Are you a new parent or caregiver in Nevada who could use some advice and guidance as you begin the journey of parenthood? Are you searching for early care and learning options? 

If so, you’re just like most new parents, and we’re here to lend a helping hand. 

This guide offers an overview to help you stay on top of your family’s health – and just as important – your own health. It also provides a summary of the different types of child care available, important questions to ask when choosing care, and resources to help you understand early learning and development.

What the New Parent Booklet Offers

• Parent health and well-being support, including physical recovery, mental health and self-care strategies during the postpartum period
• Information on early care and education options, including different types of childcare programs and how to choose the best fit for your family
• Guidance on developmental milestones from birth through early childhood and what to expect as children grow and learn
• Tips and resources for responding to developmental or health concerns, including when and how to seek additional support

The booklet is available in English and Spanish.

Nevada COMPASS – For families experiencing homelessness.

As prices increase, it is easy to understand how bills, including rent or mortgage payments, are harder to pay. If you find yourself in the situation that your family can no longer stay in your home you may instinctively turn to friends, family or other temporary shelter for a place to sleep.  

Families experiencing homelessness are not necessarily unsheltered. The vast majority are living with friends or in a motel. 

In Nevada more than 4% of young kids (birth – age 3) are experiencing homelessness, however only 316 kids experiencing homelessness are enrolled in an early childhood education program. 

Fortunately, assistance is available to help provide stability to the lives of children, priority populations for Head Start Programs and Nevada Ready! Pre-K include families experiencing homelessness. 

Childcare subsidies also include families experiencing homelessness. 

To make it easy to get in touch with a local liaison to help find an early learning educational program (or register older kids for school) in your area, the Nevada Department of Education developed the Nevada COMPASS App. In addition to school support, Nevada COMPASS will put you in touch with other housing, food, healthcare or job supports that are local to you. 

Nevada COMPASS is in alignment with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and the app helps ensure that all children have access to education and essential supports, even during times of uncertainty. 

NevadaCOMPASS.nv.gov is available as a website or the app is available through the Google Play Store and will be available on the Apple App Store soon. All content is available in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Simple Chinese, Amharic and Vietnamese.