Step Forward’s Post

This one is for all of you parents who have struggled to find reliable, high-quality childcare--not just glorified babysitting, but a true early learning environment that feeds young minds. We've personally felt the pain of finding a center we love, having it close and then starting the search all over again. Luckily, there's a happy ending to our story that began at NKU 7 years ago and involved not one but TWO unexpected closings—and re-openings (that's the happy part). Big shoutout to Little Stars Preschool and NKU leadership for creating a new center. My story in Soapbox Media (https://lnkd.in/gEE8gYDe) highlights this center along with others based on campus at UC and Xavier. What gives me hope about this model is that it is a braided funding approach not 100% reliant on parent-paid tuition. It's a virtuous cycle where children, families, the larger academic community (students and professors/researchers alike) ALL benefit.

Early Quality Education goes a long way!!

Early childhood education has emerged as a pivotal point in child development. Science and research have established that this phase in a child’s life is a foundational period that significantly shapes a child’s potential for lifelong learning, health and overall development. In the latest Learning by Design Magazine issue, RDG's Edward Buglewicz, AIA and Molly Haas, AIA share why these facilities are essential and how designing to integrate education and community engagement enhances the learning experience for children while fostering stronger community connections and support. https://lnkd.in/gHEyaryy

"Successful kindergarten transitions do not happen by accident. They are the result of a quality, productive community partnership and planning process that involves a wide range of stakeholders who support young children and their families. To make this collaborative process easier, the Kansas Early Childhood Recommendations Panel has created a Kindergarten Transitions Toolkit to support communities in their efforts to develop effective, satisfying, and sustainable plans and practices." Read more in this article from Natalie McClane, Early Childhood Education Program Consultant with the Kansas State Department of Education. https://lnkd.in/g4WmsjNA

High-quality early education is not just a privilege—it's a necessity. Programs like ours at EOCF lay the foundation for lifelong learning, providing essential skills and support to young children and their families. These proposed changes put critical learning opportunities at risk, which are vital to our children's growth and future success. Read The Columbian full article and join us in supporting early education! 📰 https://lnkd.in/gN9uKWyU

Inclusion continues to be a challenge in CA. Supports, like this webinar series, are being delivered through UPK to support inclusion. Check out this data snapshot to see how your district's early childhood inclusion compares to others in California and across the nation: https://lnkd.in/gXqzgAC6

Supporting Early Learners with BRIGANCE Early Childhood! Are you looking for a comprehensive solution to support the developmental needs of young learners aged 3-7? BRIGANCE Early Childhood provides a wealth of Readiness Activities that are designed to build essential skills and prepare students for a successful academic journey. Here’s how BRIGANCE Early Childhood can benefit your classroom: 🔹 Tailored Instruction: Provide age-appropriate, developmentally aligned learning experiences for every child. 🔹 Integrated Assessments: Seamlessly connect assessment results with targeted instruction to ensure each student receives the necessary support. 🔹 Extensive Skill Development: Access over 300 activities that cover a wide range of essential skills, from literacy to motor development. 🔹 Home-School Collaboration: Strengthen the connection between home and school with take-home activities that extend learning and engage families. Give your young learners the best start with BRIGANCE Early Childhood. Learn more about it here: https://lnkd.in/g_KfjV6r

The Future of Education is Flexible Traditional education models, while well-intentioned, often struggle to meet the diverse needs of today’s students and families. Large class sizes, outdated methods, and a lack of flexibility leave many students behind. At MindSprout Montessori, we’ve embraced a different path—one that focuses on individualized learning, shorter school days, and a more tailored approach. Families in our community are searching for programs that fit their unique needs, especially as many public schools face funding and staffing challenges. Our hybrid Montessori model provides a balance of structure and freedom, allowing children to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The demand for alternatives like ours is growing rapidly, especially in a city as diverse as Houston. Families are seeking more than just an education—they’re seeking a partnership that respects their values and empowers their children. I’m proud to be part of a movement that puts children first, and I’m eager to see how flexible, student-centered models like ours can redefine the future of education. 🌟 How do you see education evolving to meet today’s challenges? Let’s start the conversation!

Curious about what happened at Action for Children's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging training event for child care professionals this week? Check out our new blog post to read more and access resources related to the event: https://bit.ly/3wzYo8Z. And don't forget to sign up for our next training event in April on Early Learning and Development Standards at actionforchildren.org/PD!

Supporting the growth and development of under 5's in Mangere