Thank you for your interest in the Transition to Kindergarten Program! Listed below are answers to some common questions.
How is the Transition to Kindergarten program operated and funded?
Since January 2001, Project Enlightenment, part of the Wake County Public School System, has received funding from Wake County SmartStart to provide a program for Wake County focused on promoting smooth transitions into kindergarten.
Who can participate in the program?
At the core of the Transition to Kindergarten Program is the belief that elementary schools and those serving 4 year olds (preschools, childcare centers, family child care homes) are most effective when they work together to prepare children and families for the transition into kindergarten. All Wake County Public School System elementary schools are eligible to participate, with priority given to schools serving large numbers of high need students. Preschools, childcare centers, or family childcare homes in Wake County who are currently serving children eligible for kindergarten in the 2007-08 school year are also able to participate, with priority given to centers and homes serving high numbers of children receiving subsidy.
What is the Transition to Kindergarten Program?
The Transition to Kindergarten Program provides funding and support to offer a variety of transition activities for preschoolers, their families and educators prior to the beginning of kindergarten. These activities will take place from October 2006 - June 2007 and can include:
· Preschooler visits to kindergarten classrooms. Preschools and childcare centers can bring their 4-year-old classes to visit the elementary school and kindergarten classrooms.
· An enhanced Parent and Child Orientation at the elementary school in the spring, including guidance on the information parents need and how to present information to parents in a family friendly, professional way.
· Readiness Bags for children who attend a Preschooler Visit to Kindergarten or a Parent and Child Orientation. Each bag includes fine motor, math, and reading activities to help prepare children for the kindergarten initial assessment. The canvas bags have "My Kindergarten Bag" printed on them and include crayons, scissors, glue, a pencil, play doh, a book for the child, a book for the parent, and a book with activities for all of the items in the bag.
· Participation in the Transition to Kindergarten workshop series, including free materials and teacher renewal credit.
· Materials, salaries and support to implement a preschool camp at the elementary school for one week during June 2007 for children with little or no preschool experience, or those at risk.
· Funding (for substitutes or extra duty pay) to allow kindergarten staff to do home visits with upcoming kindergarteners, following registration in the spring.
· Opportunities for preschool and kindergarten staff to visit each other’s site in order to learn about curriculum, schedules, and expectations in each setting.
· Use of the All About Me document. Distributed at a spring orientation or at a spring preschool conference, this document is completed by the parent, child, and preschool teacher and is used as an introduction of the child to the elementary school.
What technical assistance is offered for those who participate?
Transitions to Kindergarten Program staff, housed at Project Enlightenment, are available to help schools and centers form partnerships and complete applications. A program information session will be held at Project Enlightenment on September 13th from 9:30-10:30am and again from 4:30-5:30pm to go over the program application and answer questions as needed.
Once accepted into the program, transition staff are available to answer questions, coordinate and submit budget and evaluation to Wake County SmartStart, plan activities and help to ensure a successful transition program.
Who benefits from the program?
Response from families and teachers participating in the program has been overwhelmingly positive. Families feel more comfortable with the new school setting and are better able to prepare their children for school, both in academic readiness skills and basic needs (registration, immunizations). Families feel more confident when they know what to expect and are offered positive activities to do as they prepare their children for school. Teachers, both in preschool and kindergarten, are able to share information and gain skills needed to align their programs to prepare children for kindergarten and then help them through the initial transition, leading to greater school success.
How are Transition to Kindergarten participants chosen?
Funding for the program is limited. All applications submitted by the deadline are given an eligibility score based on set criteria. Applications are then ranked by score and accepted as funding allows. A copy of the eligibility criteria is available.
How do we get started?
Download an application from www.projectenlightenment.wcpss.net. Plan to attend the information session September 13th from 9:30-10:30 or 4:30-5:30 at Project Enlightenment.
Please contact Deborah Connell at 856-2796/ if you need help.