Heading to Kindergarten

 

Heading to Kindergarten supports successful transitions to kindergarten through relationships, information sharing, and alignment between early learning programs, public schools and community partners.

 

The following districts and their partners are currently participating in Heading to Kindergarten-Cohort 3. These teams are receiving resources and technical assistance to enhance collaboration and prepare children and families for kindergarten:

• Bedford Schools / Bedford Heights Daycare
• Deer Park Community City Schools / Amity Preschool / Hamilton County Education Service Center
• Lebanon Schools / Warren County Community Services
• Niles City Schools / Trumbull County Community Action
• Wellington Exempted Village Schools / Lorain County Community Action

High quality early childhood education can prepare children for kindergarten, but children’s continued success requires effective partnerships with the teachers and leaders in their next school environment. With assistance from the State Support Team Early Childhood Consultant in their region, teams participating in Heading to Kindergarten focus on building relationships, information sharing, and alignment. Heading to Kindergarten helps schools, families and communities work together to meet the needs of the whole child.

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Tour of Celina Primary School - Welcome to Kindergarten, 2021 (Translated in Marshallese)

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Objectives of the Heading to Kindergarten Project

1. Promote best practices to enhance collaboration between early care and education programs, community partners, and public schools.

2. Provide resources, professional development, and technical assistance to support effective collaborations and successful transitions to kindergarten in school districts across Ohio.

3. Coordinate an annual state-wide Heading to Kindergarten Transition event.

Resources

• Understanding Cross Systems Transitions from Head Start to Kindergarten
• Head Start Public Schools Demonstration Project (Video)
• Successful Strategies from the Field
• Exploring the Path from Partnerships to Collaborations: Voices from the Field (Video)
• Head Start/Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center: Transitions
• New Early Childhood Coordination Requirements in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
  • Coordination Requirements for LEAs and Head Start Programs in ESEA (as amended by ESSA) and the Head Start Act - page 14
  • Characteristics of a Strong Agreement – page 23 
  • LEA Activities to Support Coordination between LEAs, Head Start, and Other Early Childhood Programs – page 47

  • Sample MOUs/MOAs – page 53

Questions about Heading to Kindergarten? 

Contact: head start@education.Ohio.gov

Last Modified: 7/19/2023 3:36:45 PM

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