School Readiness

Promoting Success by 6

The Need...

Study after study shows that a child who comes to school with the social, emotional and cognitive skills needed for success is more likely to do well in school, graduate and go on to college. That same child is more likely to become the productive kind of worker that helps our

community compete for the world-class jobs of tomorrow.

Children who obtain the right skills early are going to do better later. What we do to help disadvantaged children in their formative years can be a game-changer. An investment in quality

experiences pays big dividends. It's like the miracle of compound interest: the more you invest early, the bigger the payoff later.

Bridging the Gap...

The role of School Readiness is to assist

schools, caregivers, parents and children create

a smooth and seamless transition from home to

school and beyond. It also serves as a facilitator

building linkages between stakeholders through

grants, events, materials and higher quality

standards for all providers. Solutions include:

- Transition Teams established in all 17

Westmoreland County school districts as well

as one team in Greene County and one team

in Fayette County;

- Providing funds to help support quality transition

activities so all children enter kindergarten ready

to learn and succeed;

- Encouraging participation by providers in

recognized quality improvement systems such

as PA Keystone STARS and NAEYC (National

Association for the Education of Young

Children; and

- Providing funds for registered early care and

education providers to improve the quality of

their programs and for professional

development.

Resources:

School Readiness 2007-2008 Report

School Readiness 2008-2009 Report

School Readiness 2009-2010 Report

Follow this link to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania website

From Toddlerhood to Childhood - Choosing Quality Childcare

Volunteer:

In September 2009, School Readiness began providing a preschool vision screening program. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers this program has been made available to early learning and child care centers across Westmoreland County.

If you would be interested in volunteering a few days a year to provide this valuable service to preschoolers, please contact School Readiness for more information at 724-834-7170 ext. 19.

Tip of the Month: Communication

Talk Openly and Honestly with Children's Parents.

Try to decide together on the important things.

Be clear about food limitations. If a child has allergies, learn what to do to help the child in and emergency.
Discuss the daily routine, drop-off and pick-up times, your daily schedule and vacations, etc.
Let parents know about any emerging skills or good moments the child had that day.
Let parents know about any unusual behavior - such as if children were grouchy, didn't feel well, wanted to eat constantly or sleep more than usual. sometimes these behaviors indicate a growth spurt or are a reaction to other changes in children's lives.
Try to agree on ways that you and parents can be consistent about discipline.

Did You Know:

90% of brain development occurs before the

age of five.

Every $1 spent on high quality early education

saves $7 in reduced future expenditures for

special education, deliquency, crime control,

welfare and local taxes

What's Happening:

School Readiness will host Director's Breakfasts

beginning in September. Watch for further

information on dates and locations

School Readiness will have a mandatory meeting for

certified/registered prekindergarten centers

interested in making application for the fall

2010 Quality Improvement Grant on September 21,

5:30 p.m., at the Donohoe Center. Please call

724-834-7170 ext. 32 for reservations.

Our Work:

Over 175 representatives from 19 school

districts and early education centers attend the

annual transition team retreat held at the Fred

Rogers Center in June 2010.

In 2009, School Readiness was able to award

funds to 30 registered child care centers

participating in Keystone STARS or NAEYC to

improve the quality of their programming.

In 2009-10 School Readiness, through its

dedicated volunteers, provided 970 preschool

children attending early care and education

programs throughout Westmoreland County

with a preliminary vision screening.