On October 3, 2024, Cleveland Transformation Alliance (CTA) hosted an impactful Kindergarten Readiness Family Café at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland. The event provided a space for families, educators, and community partners to come together and explore topics related to early childhood education and school choice, with a strong focus on supporting students' readiness for kindergarten.

 Khadijah Fair, Family Engagement Manager, opened the event by outlining the agenda and introducing the CTA team and expressed gratitude to the event partners and the Children’s Museum for providing the venue. The discussion covered personal experiences with kindergarten readiness and explored the role that community involvement plays in supporting children’s early educational success. Khadijah emphasized the importance of equitable, high-quality schools and the tools CTA provides to help families make informed school choices, including the School Finder Tool, School Quality Guide, and the Family Resource Corner. 

Themes from the Event:

  

Advocating for Your Child’s Success

The Family Cafe kicked off with families sharing their experiences and perspectives on advocating for their student's educational success. They highlighted the importance of recognizing each child’s unique strengths and challenges. Through these shared stories, families learned strategies to effectively advocate for their student's needs, setting the stage for a successful educational journey.

Navigating High-Quality Programs

Selecting the best-fit early learning program is key! Attendees discussed tools, guidance, and insights on identifying high-quality preschool programs that nurture growth, creativity, and academic readiness. These discussions empowered families to confidently choose the best educational paths for their children.

Navigating K-12 Public School Choice with CTA Tools and Resources

Many families expressed interest in understanding the K-12 public school choice process. CTA’s tools and resources, including the School Finder Tool and the School Quality Guide, introduced decision-making frameworks and support systems that assist families in making informed choices.

Addressing Childcare Concerns and Readiness for Kindergarten

Families raised concerns about childcare and education quality, focusing on the need for environments that provide sufficient love and attention. The discussions highlighted the importance of community support in preparing children for kindergarten and guiding families on how to identify red flags in childcare or educational facilities.

Building Relationships with Educators

Strong family-educator relationships are foundational to student success. Attendees shared strategies for building meaningful connections with school staff, emphasizing consistent, open communication, which helps in effectively collaborating with schools to support each child’s learning experience.

Supporting Learning at Home

The café also explored ways families can extend learning beyond the classroom. Practical tips were shared on creating supportive home environments through activities like reading and educational games, which reinforce academic growth.

Making Connections in the Community

The event was about sharing knowledge and building community connections. Families engaged with community organizations like IncYOU Tutoring, which offered expert guidance on personalized learning plans and readiness tips.

 Some resources discussed can be found on our partnered ambassadors' websites:

• PRE4CLE, Dolly Parton Imagination Library through The Literacy Cooperative, and IncYOU:

Early Learning Resources

Guides and Assessments

• Preparing for Kindergarten Success: A Guide for Families
  • Offers strategies and tips to support student development for a smooth transition into kindergarten: Learn More
• Kindergarten Early Entry Guide - OHIO
  • Provides information on assessing and facilitating a student’s readiness for entering kindergarten earlier than the typical age requirement in Ohio: Learn More
• Kindergarten Readiness Assessment - OHIO
  •  Evaluate a student’s readiness for kindergarten by assessing various developmental domains such as language, math, and social-emotional skills: Learn More

Educational Standards and Information

• Standards Guide for Families: Kindergarten
  • Outlines the educational benchmarks and objectives expected in kindergarten, helping parents support their student's academic progress: Learn More

Specialized Guides

• The Young Gifted Child: Information for Families
  • Guidance on identifying and nurturing the talents of gifted young children: The-Young-Gifted-Child
• Quick Start Guide on Gifted and Talented
  • An overview of how to identify, support, and enhance the educational experiences of gifted and talented children in Ohio: Learn More
  • Special Education Road Map
    • An overview of how to support and navigate Special Education in Ohio: Learn More

• Preschool Special Education FAQ For Families from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
  • Answers common questions for families of preschool students regarding special education: View FAQ

These resources are designed to provide comprehensive support to families navigating the early stages of their child’s education, ensuring all-around preparation for entering kindergarten.

Visit CTA’s Family Resource Corner for additional Kindergarten Readiness Resources.

  

Stay Connected:

• Children’s Museum of Cleveland: Explore their memberships and resources to support your child’s early learning and development.
• PRE4CLE, Dolly Parton Imagination Library through The Literacy Cooperative, and IncYOU: Our partners provided insights and resources to guide families on their kindergarten readiness journey.

Feel free to share your experience and stay connected with us on social media!