Parent Ambassadors

 

When Corina opened her home at the end of April to host a playgroup, she never thought it was going to be what she is seeing now. "We started the group with 9 children, and today we have 22 joining us!" Read full story >

other news

Engaging Providers

The Preschool and Child Care Task Force was privileged to work closely with the Herrick District Library this month. The Library invited both the Center and Home-based roundtables to learn about the services offered for early childhood education. Did you know there are resources available through the library like Discovery Bins and Packs that early childhood institutions can check out to supplement their own curriculum?

The Professional Development Work Group is collaborating with the Children's Advocacy Center to host a Darkness to Light training on the evening of September 10th, for early childhood professionals . Darkness to Light is a child abuse prevention, recognition, and reaction training. 

Engaging Schools

On June 12, Ready for School hosted the "Get Connected" Luncheon. More than 50 school administrators attended to learn more about Ready for School and how we can all work together to impact kindergarten readiness.

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Healthy Beginnings

In March of this year, Ready for School completed its pilot year of Healthy Beginnings - a partnership with the Holland Community Health Center and InterCare to coordinate care and resource referral for children ages 0-5. With a commitment to collaboration, the Healthy Beginnings team has been evaluating the research results of the pilot year to assess how to strengthen the current program and plan for its expansion. Read full article>

United Way Partnership

We are excited to announce that Ready for School is now a funded partner of the Greater Ottawa County United Way for our Tuition Assistance program.  We would like to thank the donors, volunteers and staff of United Way for all they do to support important programs in our community!

Tuition Assistance

The Ready For School Tuition Assistance Program continues to grow as 49 children have been approved so far this year. If you know of any family that would benefit from this program please refer them to Ready for School.

News

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July 2012

Directors Notes

What’s new at Ready for School?
 
Some of the most exciting activity over the past six months has been the formation of two new work groups under the Community Outreach and Education Task Force. The first is a parent education work group charged with developing a “Readiness Curriculum” that complements area schools' definition of readiness. This will be a parent training driven by capable volunteers in the community. Its goal is to keep the lessons simple, but relevant, for parents who are eager to learn how to get their children ready. The curriculum will be unveiled in the fall of 2012.
 
The second work group is dedicated to assisting teen parents. The group is made up of staff and volunteers from area agencies who currently provide varying services to area teen parents. By working together they are poised to do amazing things for some of the most vulnerable families in our community. Three teen parents have agreed to assist us in developing a pilot program to help teen parents become independent, capable citizens and equipped parents for their children.
 
Lastly, Ready for School is working with the Michigan Character Council, Nancy DeBoer and area cartoonist Wade Gugino to develop books targeted to toddlers. Materials will provide yet one more way that parents and children can come together to learn and play. Linda Jordan, Hope College Professor and  local expert on brain development will be lending a hand in the development of the materials. 
 
We are always seeking the most effective ways to engage parents. There is always room at the Ready for School table.  Please join us!
 
 
Pat VerDuin, Executive Director 

 

 

 
100 East 8th Street, Suite 240
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 395-7055