Strategy

What it Means

Benefit

Sample Actions

A: Act

1.Raises public awareness regarding the needs of young children.

2. Makes early learning a state and/or local priority.

3. Integrates early learning into strategic plans.

4. Aligns the learning opportunities for children from birth to age 18.

1. Gain Buy-in. For example, find a champion for your efforts, seek Local Management Board involvement, make early learning a component of School Improvement Plans, or establich an Achieving School Readiness Advisory Council.

2. Revise Policies: Make early learning a component of the School Improvement Plan. Align standards and curriculum among schools and early childhood programs. Implement effective transition policies. Be sure to conduct an accurate needs assessment before taking action (for sample surveys, click here).

3. Create a Community Framework. For example, identify preschool children and early care providers in your school community's attendance area via sibling lists or ask teachers to hold workshops for parents and early care providers on the transition to kindergarten.

4. Tackle Systemic Reform. Establish an Early PTA /O at your local school, hold a strategic planning forum, or facilitate specialized training on child development.

B: Build Public Awareness

Raise public awareness and understanding on the importance of quality early learning experiences.

1. Increases the understanding of the early years.

2. Promotes the skills and experiences young children need to succeed in school.

3. Improves the awareness and quality of early learning experiences.

1. Identify preschool children and early care providers in your school community's attendance area through sibling lists.

2. Disseminate Information on the early years through newsletters, letters to the editor, presentations, or traditional advertising. To help your efforts, be sure to collect information, data, and stories on the needs of families of young children in your community. Also, consider using these resources: the monthly ParentTips series, summer activity packets, newsletters (September-December or January-June) and activity calendars to parents and providers. See the Resources section of this web site for additional resources.

3. Hold Special Events. Host school readiness fairs, workshops, or other training sessions aimed at a young child's first teachers.

4. Initiate a Public Outreach Campaign. Distribute brochures, use public engagement materials, and advertise on the importance early kindergarten registration.

C: Communicate and Collaborate

Heighten communication and collaboration among and with a young child's first three teachers -parents, early care and education professionals and elementary school staff.

1. Builds strong connections between the first three teachers.

2. Actively engages parents in their children's early learning.

3. Aligns curriculum, activities and expectations for children birth to five.

4. Improves the quality of early learning experiences.

5. Eases transitions for children between the home setting or preschool and elementary school.

6. Significantly improves the educational achievements and success in school of young children.

1. Engage Key Partners and Utilize Partner Strengths, including elementary school staff, early care providers, parents, libraries, community colleges and universities, service providers, and others. See these tips for communicating with parents.

2. Facilitate and Encourage Collaboration. Encourage reciprocal visits and joint professional development opportunities for schools and early childhood programs. Foster aligned learning expectations, curriculum and the classroom environment. Initiate effective transition policies. Begin the dialogue between a young child's first three teachers. Click here to find out how!