ready for school. ready for life. early childhood on the peninsula
TRANSCRIPT
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
EARLY CHILDHOODON THE PENINSULA
www.smartbeginningsvp.org
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
What is “school readiness”?
• Physical
• Social
• Emotional
• Intellectual
Nationally, 49% of children who do not know their alphabet as they enter kindergarten come from
middle- and upper -class families!
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
Start behind, stay behindIt’s often a snowball effect
as they move up toward high school.
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
The cost to YOUChildren who start school behind due to a lack of
quality early childhood care and education are shown to have:
• More repeated grades• More special education needs• Higher teen pregnancy rates• Lower graduation rates• Higher incarceration rates• Lower employment rates• More use of public assistance
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
It’s happening right hereOne out of every five children on the Peninsula
starts kindergarten unprepared.
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
THE SOLUTION:Invest in early childhood
• Decades of research show that the first five years are a critical time in brain development.
• All children are born ready to learn, but the achievement gap begins to show before kindergarten.
• Studies have found a 95% correlation between children’s language interaction in the first 2-3 years of life and their reading level in 4th grade.
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
“An ounce of prevention…”At the time when brain development is at its highest,
our investment is at its lowest.
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
What’s in it for you
High-quality early care and education programscan yield as much as a…
16% returnannually for every
$1 invested
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
What’s in it for youChildren who receive a quality early education
are more likely to become:
• Dependable workers• Citizens who give
back to their community• Problem-solvers• Mentally and emotionally
stable adults• Responsible spouses
& parents
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
See who else is involvedHampton Health DepartmentHampton Healthy Families PartnershipHampton Public SchoolsHampton Economic Development DepartmentHampton University Head StartH.E.L.P. ClinicInfant Toddler ConnectionJoint Military Command Parent Support Kaufman and Canoles Kids Priority OneKristen FowlerLangley Child Care CenterLiz Moore RealtyNavy Parent SupportNewport News Healthy Families PartnershipNewport News LibrariesNewport News Parks and RecreationNewport News Public SchoolsNewport News ShipyardObaid Jafri, MDOffice of Human Affairs
AlternativesARCBernardine Franciscan Sisters Found.Bob Shwayder, MDBon Secours Center for Child and Family ServicesCheri Coyle, MDChildren’s ClinicCHKDCity of HamptonCity of Newport NewsColiseum Central BIDCommunity Services BoardCommunity Free Clinic East End NNCNUDixon, Hughes, Goodman LLPDowntown Hampton Child Development CenterDominion Virginia PowerFamily FocusFerguson EnterprisesFirst Book HR/ Mayor’s Book ClubFirst Team Auto Group
Old Point National BankPeninsula Community FoundationPeninsula Health Department Peninsula United WayPeninsula YMCAPICHProject Single MomsPreschool PartnersRiverside Medical Group Resource MothersSentara Health GroupTNCCTowne BankTidewater Physicians Multi Specialty GroupUnion First Market BankVirginia Company BankVirginia Peninsula Chamber of CommerceZel Technologies
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
Make a difference!
• Volunteer • Donate• Serve on boards• Provide scholarships• Contact elected officials• Write the media• Help faith community
Ways to get involved and help our children today
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
Initiatives
1. Implementing Virginia Star Quality Rating 2. Emphasizing Social-Emotional Development
a) Screeningsb) New focus/curriculum for centers
3. Bringing together mental health community4. Creating TNCC partnership for teacher
continuing education5. Developing resource guide for parents/centers
in English, Spanish
Early Care and Education
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
Initiatives
1. Created website: smartbeginningsvp.org
2. Developed two brochures: one for parents, one for advocates
3. Started Speaker’s Bureau, created material
4. Developed posters for retail locations, urging parents to prepare/educate children under 5
Public Engagement and Awareness
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
Initiatives
1. Developed universal screen for pregnant moms
2. Offering of free parenting classes
3. Discussing way children with delays can be identified earlier
Health
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
Initiatives
1. Disseminated new-parent information magnets
2. Disseminated magnets promoting parent resource website: peninsulafamilies.org
3. Discussing reintroducing new-babywelcome package
4. Discussing partnership with CHKD to bring in speakers on parent issues
Parent Support and Education
Ready for School. Ready for Life.
We want to hear from you!For more information on early childhood and how to help, visit www.smartbeginningsvp.org
You can also call theProgram Coordinator at(757) 771-1092
or send mail to:Smart BeginningsVirginia PeninsulaP.O. Box 325Hampton, VA 23669