What Does School Readiness Look Like?
In Kentucky, families, schools, communities, and the Commonwealth work together to ensure children possess the foundation to succeed in school.
Children
- Need a general knowledge and curiosity of the world, things, events, and people
- Must be routinely and appropriately exposed to print
- Require experiences with developmentally appropriate hands-on learning
- Should consistently demonstrate motivation and engagement with learning tasks
- Must have reoccurring experiences in the arts including music, visual art, and dramatic play
- Should possess effective social, emotional, and interpersonal skills
- Need socialization to group norms, such as those expected in the school and classroom setting
- Must have developed the ability to communicate effectively
- Require any physical or health barriers to be addressed including screening and correction for vision, hearing, and other health-related issues
Families
- Understand they are their child’s first teacher, nurturing and stimulating their child’s development
- Provide safe and financially stable homes
- Should possess wellness awareness, including nutrition and exercise
- Know how to access information on how to advocate for their child’s learning and development
Professionals & Schools
- Expect all children to achieve at high levels
- Ensure qualified and competent educators that are trained to work with young children in early childhood settings
- Support appropriate professional development for high-quality teachers
- Ensure effective transitions at all key points to include age group to age group, home to school, childcare to school, and preschool to kindergarten
- Provide developmentally appropriate classrooms and programs, including primary programs
- Emphasize effective parent/family involvement
- Assist childcare providers with training and implementation of “Building a Strong Foundation for School Success” including the Kentucky Early Childhood Standards
- Ensure preschool and kindergarten teachers collaborate and mentor with childcare programs and staff
Communities
- Provide opportunities for access to high quality, affordable early care and education programs
- Ensure opportunities for safe and healthy environments for families
- Ensure access to prevention and intervention services
- Provide opportunities for lifelong learning for parents
- Provide opportunities for access to wrap-around childcare services for working parents
- Collaborate with and align agencies to better prepare children for school readiness. Agencies include:
- Head Start programs
- Universities and colleges
- Local Early Childhood Councils
- School districts
- Preschool teachers
- Kindergarten teachers
- Family Resource Centers
- Special Education
- Public Libraries
- Local Chamber of Commerce