Each year, too many Michigan children enter kindergarten not ready to learn. For these children, who all too often are from low income and/or minority families, not being ready for school becomes a life-long sentence of poor academic achievement, diminished expectations, and limited opportunity. Lack of school readiness also affects a community's ability to thrive as children who start school behind their peers are more likely to drop out of school and engage in criminal activity.
The quality of a child’s earliest learning environment, whether it is provided at home or by a child care provider in another setting, has a direct impact on their future success. It is critically important that parents and professionals have access to quality training and information to assist them in providing the best care possible.
The Great Start Collaborative of Jackson County recognizes that the children of today are the future neighbors, employees, and leaders of our community. We are committed to increasing the number of children who enter school ready to learn because we know that children who start ready will be more likely to graduate, go on to higher education, and become productive members of an economically stable Jackson community.
As an early childhood community, Great Start is focusing its efforts on promoting and increasing funding for parent and caregiver education county-wide to ensure that those charged with the task of preparing our youngest children for success have the skills and tools they need.
Highlights of progress to date include:
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County-wide launch of Parenting Counts(R) professional training program for parent educators. To date 54 parent educators have been trained in Parenting Counts
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Increased support of
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, promoting literacy and adult/child interaction by delivering a free book each month to more than 3,900 Jackson County children under age five.
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Data-driven accountability through the continued implementation of a county-wide school readiness assessment.
To learn more about the work of Jackson's Great Start Collaborative and how you can help, please contact us.
Resources for Parents and Child Care Providers:
Born Learning Everyday life is a learning experience for young children. Born Learning is a public engagement campaign that helps parents, grandparents and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities.
Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University Experiences during the first few years of life, both good and bad, literally shape the architecture of the developing brain. Stable, positive relationships with adults and growth-promoting experiences are key to the development of the architecture that forms the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health.
Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) - Child Care & Early Learning
National Center for Education Statistics The NCES is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education.
Parenting Counts Parenting Counts is the research-based family of products developed by Talaris Institute to support parents and caregivers in raising socially and emotionally healthy children. The Parenting Counts website features a helpful developmental timeline that outlines some basic, developmentally appropriate skills and abilities that your infant and toddler may exhibit at different stages in their growth.
Great Start Connect Parents looking for child care can search online
through Great Start Connect to find a provider that meets their own individual criteria. Child care providers can search for and register for available training opportunities and update their online profile. Great Start Connect also offers helpful information on quality child care and preschool learning environments.
