Early Birds FAQs
What is school readiness?
Early Birds helps your child get ready for school by focusing on important skills. We help your child learn and grow at their own pace. We want caregivers to feel confident in helping their child with skills like listening, paying attention, self-control, communication, building small muscles to hold a pencil, and more!
For example, a milestone for a 3-year-old might be being able to follow simple instructions, like "Please put your toys away." This helps with listening and understanding, which are important for school readiness.
Who is eligible to participate?
Caregivers including parents, foster parents, aunts/uncles, grandparents, and anyone caring for young children from birth to 5 in Oklahoma.
Which communities do we serve?
Virtual classes are available for Oklahomans. For in-person classes, we currently partner with Pioneer Library (SW Oklahoma City, Moore, and Norman), Sunbeam’s Early Education Centers and partner sites, and Healthy Start.
What is the birth age cutoff?
How often do the classes meet and for how long?
Classes typically range from 60 minutes to 90 minutes. This is not a continuing education class; families can take one class per season per age group (there are three classes). While this class does not count toward continuing education hours, it does count toward foster education hours.
What topics will be covered in the classes?
Every session has a main focus, “food fun” (nutrition), “storybook surprises” (literacy), and “loving lessons” (additional caregiver tips).
Do I need to be in Oklahoma to participate in the program?
Yes, Early Birds classes are only available for participants living in Oklahoma.
How do I sign up?
Click the “Register for an Early Birds Classes” or
Call (405) 315-3199
What’s the signup cutoff time or date?
Participants can sign up until the day of class by 4 pm (excludes weekend classes, the cutoff date is Friday).
Walk-ins are welcome at any site.
Do we provide childcare?
Early Birds does not provide childcare for the classes.*
*Some in-person partner sites may choose to do so if they are able to.
How do I get into the class?
Virtual classes - A reminder email with the link attached will be sent out the day of class.
In-person classes – A reminder email with the location will be sent out a day before classes.
Can I attend multiple classes if I have multiple children?
Yes! You can attend more than one age of class if you have more than one child 5 years old or younger and/or are pregnant.
Can I sign up for the three classes at one time for the three seasons (1 year)?
Classes are posted at the beginning of each season. Sometimes new dates are added and emails are sent to share the notify new dates with you.
What are the in-between seasons?
During our month-long break between each Early Birds season (November, March, July), families can go onto the website and access learning materials like Early Learning Matters curriculum, Activities by ages, and STEAM activities.
STEAM is Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. These activities were created with children up to 5 years old in mind and include step-by-step instructions and questions to ask during the activity.
What are the in-between seasons and STEAM-In-Between Activities?
The "in-between seasons" for Early Birds are the breaks between the main class sessions, which happen in Fall, Winter, and Spring. These breaks occur in November, March, and July.
STEAM-In-Between Activities are fun and educational activities you can do with your child during these breaks. They focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) and use items you can find around your home.
What’s the difference between the activities in the class vs the gift you receive at the end of the class?
You can do the activities you will learn in class anywhere and at any time. Many of them do not require materials! However, you can also use the gift you receive from Early Birds for the activities provided. The activities do not rely on these materials.
When do I receive the gift and where?
Participants will receive their gifts after attending the class and completing a short class evaluation. The gift will be delivered straight to your home.
Delivery time varies by your location. Standard delivery time is about a month.
What if my address changes after signing up for the class?
If you need to change your address, please email earlybirds@sunbeamfamilyservices.org
What if I didn’t receive my gift?
Call (405) 315-3199 or email earlybirds@sunbeamfamilyservices.org.
Does Dolly Parton's Imagination Library exist in my county?
Yes, all counties in Oklahoma are covered. Learn more at the Dolly Parton Imagination Library website.
How do I change my address for Dolly Parton Imagination library?
You will need to login to your account and update your address at the Dolly Parton Imagination Library website.
What if my family is experiencing homelessness?
For additional resources or support email earlybirds@sunbeamfamilyservices.org or call (405) 315-3199.
Who can be partners?
- Anyone in Oklahoma State can be a partner
- We are always looking to create new partnerships
- For more information, email earlybirds@sunbeamfamilyservices.org or call (405) 315-3199
Who can be instructors?
To be a virtual instructor you will need to meet the following criteria:
- Have some experience in early childhood education or child development
- Enjoy connecting with other people
- Have strong communication and organization skills
- Basic computer skills
- Have access to Wi-Fi and a working computer
What are the benefits of joining the program?
- Caregivers are learning about their child’s development and learning fun activities and ways to engage at home to promote school readiness
- Families receive educational toys and books for attending
- Class options are flexible to accommodate diverse schedules
- Bilingual curriculum that is available in both English and Spanish
How can I get more information or ask specific questions?
Email earlybirds@sunbeamfamilyservices.org or call (405) 315-3199.
What other Sunbeam programs serve birth to 5?
This website is supported by Grant Number 06CH012537 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Sunbeam and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.