Family FAQ

What is the Ready to Grow program?

Ready to Grow for Families is a free program from Atlanta Public Schools (APS) offering monthly workshops, practical home resources, and optional one-on-one parenting support to help children ages 0–5 grow calm, confident, and connected. There is also an educator component to the program, Ready to Grow for Educators, which will provide training, resources, and coaching to educators to support the same skills at school. 

This program was developed in partnership with Georgia Early Education Alliance Ready Students (GEEARS), Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), and a committee of APS leaders. 

Who can participate?

All parents, guardians, and caregivers with children ages 0-5 in an APS PreK or Head Start or Community Based Early Learning Center within the APS school zone. The content of this program does focus more on the 2-5 year old range of skills. 

Is the program free?

Yes! Workshops, childcare, coaching, and all materials are completely free. The program is funded by the Promise All Atlanta Children Thrive (PAACT) grant led by GEEARS to improve learning, health, and well-being outcomes for Atlanta’s youngest children and their families. 

Can I bring my children?

Yes! Free childcare is provided during all in-person workshops. Activities are led by trained staff and may include enrichment experiences like art, movement, puppetry, or dance.

Do I have to attend every workshop?

No. Families are welcome to attend any sessions that fit their schedule. However, attending regularly helps you get the most from the program. Attendance at workshops will also earn you raffle tickets to earn prizes like Kroger gift cards, gas cards, tickets to events, and more!

What kinds of resources do families receive?

Families will receive the following hands-on resources for FREE on a first come, first served basis:

Time-In Toolkit

The Time-In Toolkit teaches young children how to understand and manage big emotions through playful, social emotional learning. It includes everything needed to create a Calming Corner at home—posters, feeling cards, calming strategy cards, mindfulness affirmations, and fun activity mats. Kids learn to recognize feelings, practice calming skills, and build emotional regulation in a positive, supportive way. 

Click here to learn more about the Time-In Toolkit. 

Positive Parenting Course (Lifetime Access!) 

A self-paced online course that helps parents build calm, connected relationships with their children. Families learn simple, practical strategies for handling big emotions, preventing power struggles, and managing challenging behaviors with confidence and empathy. The course includes six short modules, community support, and live monthly coaching calls. The course is designed for busy families and focuses on creating a calmer, more connected home. 

Click here to learn more about the Positive Parenting Course. 

Best Me I Can Be! Book Series 

This set of seven fun, engaging storybooks teaches 14 essential social skills using humor and real-life school and home scenarios. Each book follows RJ as he learns skills like listening, accepting “no,” sharing, cooperating, staying on task, and using kind words. Every story includes a simple rhyming checklist to help children remember and practice the skills. 

Click here to learn more about the Best Me I Can Be! Series.

What is educator coaching?
Educator coaching is a free, optional service that provides access to a trained coach for additional support. Coaching sessions can be one-time, as-needed, or ongoing and may take place in person or virtually. In some cases, classroom or student observation may be helpful to tailor support.

Coaching may focus on:

Tier 1: Classroom Management
Routines, expectations, transitions, community building, positive reinforcement, and use of SEL tools to support all students.

Tier 2: Behavior Interventions
Small-group supports, identifying behavior patterns, teaching replacement skills, visual supports, and progress monitoring.

Tier 3: Individualized Supports
Individual student challenges, behavior plans, identifying triggers, and implementing personalized calming or support strategies.

How do I register?
To register, please complete the Ready to Grow for Families Registration Form Once registered, you will receive a confirmation and calendar invitations.

Who do I contact with questions?
For questions about educator training or coaching, please contact:
Nicole Webb | nicole@new-school-consulting.com