School readiness

Classroom to Community and Back describes how educators can use the knowledge and culture students bring to school in a standards-based curriculum that supports student success. This approach is called culturally responsive, standards-based (CRSB) teaching. It draws on the experiences, understandings, views, concepts, and ways of knowing of the students sitting in the classroom. Through foundational research and snapshots of real-life classroom practices the publication shows teachers and school leaders how CRSB engages all students in learning; builds relationships between the classroom and the outside world; and creates opportunities for families and community members to support student success in and out of school

The purpose of this toolkit is to provide guidance, resource materials and references that will assist communities in working with families as partners in their child's development and school readiness. By recognizing and building the capacity of parents as their child's first educators and engaging parents as decision makers for their child and leaders in the agencies and organizations that serve them, communities can strengthen families and support young children being ready for school. Part 1 explores aspects of: parent education and parents as a child's first teachers; parent education models, including home-visiting and site-based programmes; professional and paraprofessional preparation to deliver parent education services; and programme outcomes and evaluation. Part 2 investigates: parent involvement as decision makers and in leadership roles; policies and standards that support parents as leaders; parent and provider/professional preparation for and engagement in collaborative leadership; and sustaining collaborative leadership. The intent is to support a holistic approach and encourage parents as primary partners across all systems that serve young children and their families and help young children grow up healthy, develop well, and enter school ready to learn. The toolkit includes tip lists, check lists and comprehensive thematic lists of annotated resources

This paper presents the findings of a New Zealand study that explores the transition experiences of a range of children, their families, and their early childhood and primary school teachers, through interviews and detailed observations in early childhood centres and new entrant classrooms. The participants include seven case study children and their families who were visited a number of times from when the children were four-years-old until they turned eight. The paper examines the multiple perspectives on transition issues and highlights both the diversity in views and experiences, and some common themes and issues. Exploring the nature of the transition from early childhood to school leads us into broader debates about continuity, learning and the nature education in early childhood and at school. The paper considers the implications of the research for practice at both the early childhood and beginning school level

A guide to helping families with children with special needs to prepare for smooth transitions

This paper focuses on effective transition-to-school programmes. Using a framework of 10 guidelines developed through the Starting School Research Project, it provides examples of effective strategies and transition programmes.The guidelines argue that effective transition-to-school programmes: establish positive relationships between the children, parents, and educators; facilitate each child's development as a capable learner; differentiate between "orientation-to-school" and "transition-to-school" programmes; draw upon dedicated funding and resources; involve a range of stakeholders; are well planned and effectively evaluated; are flexible and responsive; are based on mutual trust and respect; rely on reciprocal communication among participants; take into account contextual aspects of community and of individual families and children within that community. In this context, the nature of some current transition programmes is questioned, and the curriculum of transition is problematised. In particular, issues are raised around who has input into such programmes and who decides on appropriate curriculum

The brief begins with an overview of the concept of transition and its importance to school success. It then examines transition practices that focus on families, considering both practices and key players in implementation; it includes examples of promising transition practices that involve families. It concludes with the presentation of a framework for the development of school and programme transition teams that value family involvement

Created in 1965, Head Start is a long-running, national school readiness program in the United States. It provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. Nearly 25 million pre-school aged children have benefited from Head Start. The National Head Start Association is a private not-for-profit membership organisation dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of Head Start children and their families. This website contains a wealth of resources, tools, and information materials around school readiness, training and advocacy