Strengthening the prenatal to third–grade education system
About
About P-3 Connections
Every child deserves access to high-quality early care and education opportunities that are right for them. But finding the right fit isn’t always easy. Too often, families are left to navigate a system where programs and services aren’t always connected. We believe the solution isn’t asking families to become better navigators. It’s changing the system and how it coordinates around families.
P-3 Connections supports a coordinated approach to early care and education, from the prenatal years through third grade. We bring early care and education partners and school districts together to align goals, strengthen teaching and learning, and support smoother transitions from early learning into elementary school. This includes efforts such as Coordinated Recruitment and Enrollment (CRE), Transition to Kindergarten (TK), and Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS).
When programs, schools and community partners work together, families have more support exploring their options and educators can build on children’s learning. These partnerships help children develop a strong foundation for success in school and beyond.
The P3 Connection on Spotify
The P3 Connection is a podcast about building a better connected early care and education system, one conversation at a time.
Listen to conversations about the partnerships, practices and ideas helping strengthen connections across Early Care & Education.
CRE Support
Coordinated Recruitment and Enrollment
Coordinated Recruitment and Enrollment (CRE) helps Washington families navigate early learning and education options for their young children. This statewide initiative connects families with information about available programs so they can find services that support their child’s development and meet their family’s needs.
Through CRE, ESD 112 works with school districts, early learning providers and other partners to coordinate program expansion, recruitment and enrollment efforts.
CRE Support for Program Partners
ESD 112 can assist program partners with coordinating recruitment and enrollment by:
- Facilitating connections among community partners.
- Fostering relationships between districts and community early learning partners.
- Offering technical support for planning, recruitment, and enrollment .
- Helping partners meet CRE requirements for TK planning and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) expansion.
Transition to Kindergarten
Transition to Kindergarten
Transition to Kindergarten (TK) is a preschool program designed for 4-year-old children who need additional preparation before entering kindergarten. Local school districts offer TK programs using state early learning funding. These programs are located in elementary school and generally follow the regular school-day schedule, although they may start later in the school year.
TK programs aim to fill a gap by serving eligible children who do not have access to other early learning opportunities such as Head Start, ECEAP or licensed child care programs.
Coordinated Recruitment and Enrollment
TK programs must collaborate with other preschool providers in the community to help identify appropriate early learning options for children. Families are encouraged to explore all available programs for which their child qualifies and consider the benefits of each option before making an enrollment decision.
TK Planning and Coordination Support
ESD 112 can assist school districts with TK program planning and coordination by:
- Guiding districts through a needs assessment and helping to identify existing licensed child care providers and preschool programs in their communities.
- Fostering relationships between districts and community early learning partners.
- Connecting districts with regional and statewide networks of TK leaders, practitioners, and administrators.
- Supporting coordinated recruitment and enrollment efforts among community partners, families, and districts to help maintain access to a range of early learning options in the community.
WaKIDS
WaKIDS
The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) helps children and families make a successful transition into kindergarten. The process provides teachers with information about children’s development to help them plan instruction that meets individual learning needs. It also provides statewide information about children’s development as they enter kindergarten, helping inform education policy and investments.
WaKIDS has three components:
- Family Connection welcomes families into the Washington K-12 system as partners in their child’s education.
- “Whole-Child” Assessment provides kindergarten teachers with information about children’s social-emotional, physical, cognitive and language development to help them tailor instruction to individual learning needs.
- Early Learning Collaboration brings together early learning professionals and kindergarten teachers to align practices and support smooth transitions for children.
Early Learning Collaboration Support
ESD 112 can support schools and early learning partners by:
- Coordinating networking opportunities.
- Offering joint professional development opportunities.
- Helping schools connect with local early care and education providers.
Contacts
Who to Contact
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ESD 112 equalizes educational opportunities for learning communities through innovative partnerships, responsive leadership, and exceptional programs.