Based on testing at the beginning of the school year, records show only about 50% of Palm Beach County kindergarten students were considered "kindergarten-ready" when they entered elementary school in 2022.
Kiddie Haven Preschool Director, Odalys Gonzalez said, "voluntary pre-kindergarten is about more than letters and numbers. It's also about social skills, meaningful relationships, and interactions. These children are exposed to the diversity around them, and they get to see the world through a different perspective than just being at home. The environment we create promotes self-esteem and curiosity which allows children to overcome challenges every day.
"We would like the state to consider doing a full day of VPK. And personally, I would like to start seeing them fund 3-year-olds as well," said Palm Beach County School Board member Erica Whitfield. Whitfield wants more funding to expand early childhood education opportunities.
"Where we see the largest gap in our educational system is between children who have participated in Pre-K and those who didnโt," Whitfield said. "We're always playing catch-up with the kids who didnโt have those opportunities," Whitfield added the District is working to strengthen relationships between early childhood education providers and the elementary schools nearby. Click here to read the full story by WPTV Ch.5.
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