Ready for School. Ready for Life. EARLY CHILDHOOD ON THE PENINSULA .

Ready for School. Ready for Life.

EARLY CHILDHOODON THE PENINSULA

www.smartbeginningsvp.org


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!


Start behind, stay behindIt’s often a snowball effect

as they move up toward high school.


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


It’s happening right hereOne out of every five children on the Peninsula

starts kindergarten unprepared.


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.


“An ounce of prevention…”At the time when brain development is at its highest,

our investment is at its lowest.


What’s in it for you

High-quality early care and education programscan yield as much as a…

16% returnannually for every

$1 invested


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

Ready for School. Ready for Life. EARLY CHILDHOOD ON THE PENINSULA .

Documents

Transcript of Ready for School. Ready for Life. EARLY CHILDHOOD ON THE PENINSULA .