ABSTRACT

Little Minds Ignited Childcare has put forth its best efforts to provide a solid and scientifically researched-based preschool program to better prepare students entering kindergarten in the district schools. Due to the steady decline in revenue at Little Minds Ignited Childcare, the center had to reduce serving all preschool students who were attending kindergarten within the next year. Little Minds Ignited Childcare has continued to serve many of the students, however, when capacity is full, a waiting list occurs. A review of the current waiting list shows that the majority of the students waiting are low-income children, especially of African American minority. The purpose of the Little Minds Ignited Childcare’s Kindergarten Readiness Program, “Keep the Spark”, will be to eliminate the significant number of preschool students who are being denied entry after all the available slots are filled. The “Keep the Spark” program offers students the success of school readiness. Little Minds Ignited Childcare’s goal is for all students participating in the “Keep the Spark” program to be successful in school readiness. By the end of each school year, the preschool students entering kindergarten will have gained and progressed in cognitive, emotional, social, and academic readiness. It is anticipated that parents will also gain the skills necessary to help their children over the school year as a result of this and other programs of the center.