Access to Quality Pre-Kindergarten: Kindergarten Readiness Strategy Spotlight
Kindergarten Readiness Playbook: Strategy Spotlight
Overview
A strong start sets children up for future success. Kindergarten readiness is linked to later outcomes, like third-grade reading, high school graduation, college attendance and earnings. Communities can improve early outcomes through high-quality early learning, engaged caregivers, access to health care, and safe, inclusive schools.
This is a strategy spotlight published alongside StriveTogether’s Cradle-to-Career Outcomes Playbook: Kindergarten Readiness. The playbook synthesizes research and practical guidance communities can use to improve kindergarten readiness.
High-quality pre-K gives children a strong foundation for school and life, but too many families still can’t access it. Across the Cradle to Career Network, communities are changing that through innovative funding and community-driven strategies.
- In Dayton, Preschool Promise grew enrollment from 1,729 students in 2017 to 3,561 in 2024 through a voter-approved funding initiative.
- In Memphis, Seeding Success and First 8 Memphis used outcomes-based financing to expand pre-K access, and First 8 Memphis students outperform 62% of their peers nationally.
- In Spartanburg, targeted strategies are removing barriers so more families can enroll, showing that when resources, partnerships and data work together, more children start kindergarten ready to learn.
Kindergarten Readiness Playbook
Download the full playbook