Ensuring children are ready for kindergarten
2018 Main Focus: Developmental Screenings
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"Making sure children have the opportunity to reach their potential starts long before they get to school. The experiences they have in their first five years set the stage for their future success. Screenings are an easy way for parents to check if their child's development is on track."
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In 2018, Smart Beginnings is working to increase the number of reported ASQ-3 screenings completed in Kenosha County by 75%. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) is a screener given to a child between 1 month and 5.5 years to see if they are on track with their development. Smart Beginnings is accomplishing this through a targeted pilot that trains childcare centers in administering the screening and establishing a network of referral partners.
2017
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The Smart Beginnings network recognizes that many different factors can affect a child and who they are on the first day of school. Moreover, much of this happens from birth to three years of age.
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Early Literacy
Communication skills and brain development serve as the foundation for literacy and numeracy skills later in childhood, and subsequently are a predictor of later life outcomes. By promoting strong families and connected community resources, Smart Beginnings is setting the groundwork for school success.
Learn more on our School Success Network Page
Physical Health
Currently in development and collection, physical health will be developed into a composite score that can be used to track Kenosha County's progress in raising healthy youth. One part of this composite is shown below.
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Social Emotional Health
This domain measures a child's ability to engage in secure relationships, regulate their behaviors, and explore and learn. Social emotional health is the foundation to a child's ability to engage in classroom setting and interact with others throughout their life.
Quality Childcare
Higher quality childcare centers give children a nurturing environment, parents more opportunities to work, employers more focused employees, and a stronger tax base for the county. YoungStar is Wisconsin's childcare rating system.
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Core Indicators
- Average YoungStar Rating of Kenosha County
- Percent of children screened by the ASQ-3
- Percent of Pre-K students meeting Social Emotional Learning benchmarks
- Percent of Kindergarteners meeting literacy benchmarks
- Physical Health Composite
