Early Learning & Kindergarten Readiness

A consistent theme throughout our Task Force work was the need for all children and their families to be ready for kindergarten. In accordance with Task Force recommendations, a committee to was formed to promote kindergarten readiness and family well-being. Under the direction of Melissa Sandbothe (KECC) and Jeff Moore (Webster Groves Christian Church), the committee quickly grew to over thirty members who are committed to making sure all children have equitable opportunities and access to early childhood programming. The District is not working to provide universal preschool. We can play an important role, however, in assisting families who want access to high quality early childhood experiences - regardless of where they will attend K-12 school.

The Every Child Promise is a successful program in Springfield, Missouri, established through a successful partnership with the city, Springfield Public Schools, and local donors. Their program has served as inspiration for the multi-faceted work underway in Kirkwood.

Our Promise: Every child and family will be prepared for success as they enter kindergarten.

What does it mean to be “prepared for success in kindergarten”? Our families must be connected to the basic resources necessary to have stability and hope. Our children must have access to the life and learning experiences that give context and meaning to new knowledge.

Support Kirkwood Area Every Child Promise

KAEChP is a nonprofit community-based organization striving to connect all families – especially those with the fewest resources – with access to quality opportunities for development and growth.

Our community will…

  • Foster quality early childhood experiences for all children and families by providing supportive partnerships and financial resources
  • Ensure the health and mental health of all children and families by addressing barriers to access
  • Create systems to support the basic needs of children and families
  • Engage in activities, practices, and networks to promote the efforts of the KAEChP.

We Believe…

  • This work is urgent
  • Fulfilling “The Promise” will require community collaboration including (but not limited to): families, community members, businesses, educational institutions, faith communities, and not-for-profit foundations
  • Early childhood is the life period of most intensive development; focus here will have the greatest impact in eliminating the achievement gap
  • Supported families are able to engage, forming unified communities
  • High quality early childhood programs that are informed by research are the most effective
  • Practices, programs, and professionals should be culturally responsive, inclusive, and accessible to all children
  • Investments in prevention and early intervention are the most cost- effective use of public and private funds
  • The coordination of programs and services across our community and agencies will result in administrative efficiencies, greater impact of services, and more convenience for families
  • A holistic approach to family well-being involves nutrition, health, mental health and education resources.

The Kirkwood Area Every Child Promise (KAEChP) is an interacting, interrelated, and interdependent collaboration of programs and services that form a multifaceted but unified whole.

We believe effective collaboration will require us to blur the lines between agencies, when possible, and let go of artificial territorial boundaries. By focusing locally on the Kirkwood area, we can develop a model that is scalable and that can grow to envelop our entire St. Louis metropolitan region.

Kirkwood Area Every Child Promise - Key Actions Planned &/or Underway

Early Childhood Experiences

  • Expand the support given to families of prenatal-age 5 children through home visitig programs such as Parents as Teachers
  • Identify gaps in access to high quality preschool experiences
  • Increase access to affordable and high quality public, private, or faith-based preschool experiences
  • Develop collaborative relationships with private and parochial community preschool providers.
  • Encourage literacy though a library partnership
  • Increase access to learning and life experiences that enhance academic success through access to programs such as the Zoo, Magic House, Science Center, etc.

Health

  • Increase access to information and services related to healthcare (i.e. immunization compliance, child safety and injury prevention, asthma management, hearing and vision care)
  • Facilitate access to flu shots.

Mental Health and Social Emotional Development

  • Increase screening for social emotional and mental health concerns
  • Increase access to mental heath information and services
  • Increase access and participation in behavior management classes such as Conscious Discipline or Love and Logic
  • Increase training and use of a well-articulated social emotional development curriculum in childcare and preschool programs
  • Facilitate the development of support/topic groups
  • Recreational opportunities = “passport to experiences”

Family Support

  • Address the need for adequate nutrition by using tools such as a food insecurity screening
  • Ensure families have basic housing needs met
  • Address barriers related to transportation (i.e. goods, services, and recreation)
  • Offer GED classes to support the ability of families to gain employment to support their families.

Public Engagement

  • Increase communication and outreach through faith communities, door to door, vital service locations, police department, public library, and social media/web presence
  • Facilitate education and discussion of race with children and families using avenues such as PAT and the We Stories curriculum
  • Develop a fundraising plan
  • Community engagement plan costs
  • Gather relevant research and data to share with stakeholders
Promise Place.pdf
Community Preschool.pdf