Education City Examples: School Readiness

Charleston, South Carolina
(population 109,151)

The Success by 6 coalition in Charleston, S.C. developed the Lowcountry Reads Project, a community-based system of support services for families and children from birth to school entry.  As part of the project, the city launched three different programs: Born to Read, Countdown to Kindergarten, and Countdown to Kindergarten Book Club. 

The Born to Read initiative provides parents with “welcome baby” kits that encourage parents to read to their newborn.  Countdown to Kindergarten supports parents and children during their transition to kindergarten.  Local businesses, libraries, the city, and schools sponsor events that focus on school readiness skills.  With local involvement, the city held a book drive to collect books for the neediest families so that they could participate in the Countdown to Kindergarten Book Club, a year long event for families and children.  

The coalition also launched a public engagement campaign by airing public service announcements and distributing written materials on child development and community resources. 

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Enfield, Connecticut
(population 45,212)

The Enfield Key Initiatives to Early Education (KITE) is a collaboration between the city’s School Readiness Council, city officials, and the United Way that focuses on outreach and public education on early childhood education and school readiness.  Through its public awareness campaign, Early Learning Matters, KITE provides educational materials for parents and customized pamphlets for various stakeholders.  Community meetings were held to make sure parents were aware of the city’s efforts.  The local shopping mall donated available kiosks in order to display information and show parenting videos in the mall’s family lounge.  

A Parent Resource Center was opened in 2006 and offers support services like parenting education workshops and adult education.  The Center’s Web site provides a list of local child care centers and links to other resources. 

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Fort Worth, Texas
(population  534,694)

The Community Relations Department provides funding for Early Childhood Matters, an initiative for pre-K and kindergarten students and their families in disadvantaged areas in the city.  The program assists adults in preparing young children for school.  In 2004, the city council authorized the formation of an Early Childhood Matters Council to help implement a long-term community action plan on early childhood issues. 

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Jacksonville, Florida
(population 777,704)

Mayor Peyton’s Book Club is available to all pre-kindergarten students in Duval County.  Members of the book club receive a free backpack and read books written especially for children living in Jacksonville.  Each book is a different story about living the city.  In 2007, the book club had 8,500 pre-kindergarten participants. 

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Longmont, Colorado
(population 76,181)

The City of Longmont has focused many of its school readiness efforts on parent engagement.  The city provided just under $1 million to renovate two city buildings to create Family Resource Centers that include comprehensive school readiness classrooms.  The Mayor’s Book Club encourages parents to read a new book with their 3- and 4- year olds monthly.  Children participating in the book club receive a backpack, t-shirt, library card, and one book each month.    

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Stamford, Connecticut
(population  117,083)

In 1998, Mayor Dannel Malloy established the School Readiness Program in partnership with the board of education and local childcare providers.  Serving children ages three and four, the program provides full-day or part-day early care. Using the latest brain development research and innovative learning strategies, the program offers a variety of education and comprehensive health services.   

The School Readiness Program operates primarily out of the William Pitt Child Development Center provided by the city, although there are various sites throughout the city.  The Center serves over 300 four year olds and has 18 classrooms divided into six learning clusters.  Also onsite are adult education classrooms, parent resource rooms, a recreation area, a pediatric health clinic, and a full service kitchen. 

The program is overseen by the School Readiness Council, which is appointed by the Mayor.  Membership on the Council includes the mayor; superintendent; early childhood educators; principals; parents; health providers; childcare providers; a pediatrician; and representatives from the state department of social services, the Family Resource Center, and the United Way.  The Council selected the Child Care Center, Inc, a local nonprofit to administer and operate the program in partnership with the city and board of education.

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