Five Listening Sessions, One Giant Topic
Parents and Providers Weigh In On Early Supports
During the month of February, the CSC Leon team hosted multiple family listening sessions. Our goal was to determine what kindergarten readiness means to families and what supports are necessary to ensure early childhood success. Between the five different sessions we either hosted or participated in, we spoke with more than 30 families and providers. While each individual came to the table with their own unique experiences, all groups shared similarities.
- Kindergarten readiness is more than just being ready to read. It considers social emotional competencies and the readiness of the family to support the child’s learning.
- “I can’t make my child ready if I am not ready.”
- Early supports crucial to kindergarten readiness include access to quality child care, knowledge of parenting resources, and access to regular (and convenient) developmental screening.
- “Glitz and glam does not equate to quality in a childcare setting. Relationships are key to quality.”
- Primary sources of support include parents, grandparents, and trusted friends. Other sources include faith-based leaders, pediatricians, and the internet. All groups expressed a desire to have better “navigation services.”
- “I don’t know what I don’t know or even should know; having someone to help guide me on where to go and what to ask would be helpful.”
The input from these sessions will directly influence the types of programs we intend to fund in the near future.
If you are pregnant or have young children, we want to hear from you!
CSC Leon is seeking input directly from expecting parents and families with young children on services and resources available in the community. We believe that parents are the experts about their needs and can offer valuable insight on the existing services in the community and help us properly identify the gaps. Our goal is be responsive directly to the families who take the time to share with us during the three upcoming family listening sessions for early supports.
Dates, times and locations are as follows:
- Saturday, Feb. 10, 11:30 a.m. at Lawrence Gregory (Dade St) Community Center
- Monday, Feb. 12, 5:30 p.m. at Sealey Elementary School
- Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6:00 p.m. at Fort Braden Community Center
- Thursday, Feb. 29, 6:00 p.m. via Zoom
Participation in this event is free but we do ask families to please register so we can plan for food and childcare appropriately.
In June 2022, CSC Leon published its comprehensive needs assessment completed by QQ Research Consultants. During the following months, the Council worked to identify eight priorities for investment over the next three years. Topping the list is high-quality early childhood education, parent engagement, and family support services. In October 2022, CSC Leon published a draft strategic framework identifying potential targets for each of these priorities with suggestions to incorporate “parent engagement” in multiple areas; additionally, the framework proposes to continue funding for summer programs to provide access to no- or low-cost, quality enrichment activities.
Learn more about CSC Leon by clicking here.