Read our full school readiness Social Issue Report, which includes: an overview of the social issue, an investment recommendation, information on the return on investment, and ways to take further action.

A quality center-based school readiness program offers a holistic approach including an education-based curriculum, services to support parents, and complementary services to help prevent negative life outcomes for at-risk children. Rapid brain development during children’s first few years of life lays the foundation for later growth and learning capacity. Children who thrive in their early years are positioned to become strong learners, leaders, and productive citizens.

School readiness refers to the field within Early Childhood Education that prepares children, aged 2¾ to 6, to participate in and derive maximum benefit from kindergarten, laying the foundation for continuous success in school. School Readiness programs address language development, cognitive skills, general knowledge, approaches to learning, and social and emotional skills.

Learn more about increasing school readiness in Massachusetts and New York.

Check out our Guide to Giving for donors and funders interested in school readiness.

ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUE RESEARCH:

Social Issue Research (SIR) reports are a resource to help donors and funders learn about specific social issues affecting at-risk populations and identify high-performing organizations that are addressing those issues. Drawing on research and interviews with experts representing government, academia, nonprofits, and foundations, social issue reports provide an overview of the issue, populations affected by it, approaches to address it, and investment recommendations on how donors and funders can take action. The report is complemented by state reports that frame the issue in the local context and a method – a guide for donors – that provides criteria to evaluate organizations working to address the issue.