Kindergarten Transition Team (05-06)
Date of Project: 05/2006
Name of Coalition: Watonwan County Early Childhood Coalition
MIF: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation,
Project Overview: A transition team was set up that met before school started in the fall of '05. The team consisted of kindergarten teachers, elementary school principals, early childhood staff including ECFE, School Readiness, Special Education, preschool teachers as well as childcare staff both center and home based. At this meeting each area broke up into small groups to discuss transition issues: administrative staff, kindergarten teachers, preschool teachers and childcare. The agenda for the meeting was to discuss what ready for school meant, what are the issues to help children be ready and what activities we were currently doing. A follow up meeting was held in January to discuss what new ideas we could do now with Kindergarten Roundup and additional transitional activities to help children prepare for school. Additional activities are planned for this spring which include: a book list from the Library of resources on Kindergarten Readiness, transportation for all 4 yr olds to attend part of a kindergarten day along with the current kindergarten children, a kindergarten child guest speaker at area preschools as well as a booklet designed by kindergarten children and staff to be shared with area preschools about the kindergarten experience.
Cost of Project:
# of Children 0-5 Served: 0
# of Children 6-18 Served: 0
# of Adults Served: 0
# Families Served: 0
Lessons Learned/Outcomes: This is the first time that this group has ever met cross discipline as well as cross county to share and implement ideas to help children transition to school. It was felt that the meetings have been very valuable and that the group wants to continue to meet at least once a year.
Project Frequency: