School readiness is preparing children to enter kindergarten “ready to learn.” The years from birth through age five are a time of significant growth and change. In these years children develop basic knowledge, understanding and interests they need to become successful learners. School readiness includes five major areas: physical well-being and motor development; social and emotional development; approaches to learning;language development and communication; cognition and general knowledge.
First 5 Sacramento has partnered with high quality learning programs that are committed to providing children with the tools necessary to make them successful life-long learners.
- School Readiness Initiative:
The School Readiness Initiative provides state-match funds to seven Sacramento County school districts serving children in the lowest academically performing schools. These funds are matched dollar for dollar by the First 5 California State Commission.
- School Readiness Program Expansion:
When First 5 California formally announced the availability of Cycle 2 (FY2008-2012) state-match School Readiness funding, they stipulated that no additional funds would be available for program expansion. Cycle 2 School Readiness funds are earmarked for ‘maintenance of effort’ in currently funded School Readiness programs. The First 5 Sacramento Commission, however, assessed the effectiveness of existing programs, examined more current academic performance data, and opted to use local funds to expand School Readiness programs into targeted areas with large numbers of underserved children. Rio Linda began receiving funds in July 2007, and First 5 Sacramento will complete the development of a countywide School Readiness proposal by April that will incorporate additional schools and/or districts beginning July 1, 2008.
- School Readiness Programs:
Elk Grove Unified School District was selected to pilot a ‘bridging model’ as a step towards implementing voluntary Preschool for All in Sacramento County. The bridging model serves 216 children in the Elk Grove Unified School District and brings credentialed teachers into private child care and education programs to form partnerships to improve the quality of the learning environment and ease the transition into kindergarten. A plan to expand the bridging model throughout the County of Sacramento will be developed and will be based upon successful strategies and program elements identified during the one-year pilot. Preschool Bridging Model.
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- Special Needs Seed Funding:
Recognizing the importance of children with disabilities, First 5 Sacramento funds projects to improve school readiness for children with disabilities and other special needs.
Total Funding: $13 million
First 5 Sacramento Staff Contact:
Doreen Diehl, (916) 876-6683
Funded Partners
Learn more about the First 5 Sacramento community partners who provide services to promote school readiness.
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