Kindergarten Transition

Access to High Quality Pre-k and a Strong Transition to Kindergarten

Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-k)

The early childhood learning continuum begins at birth and continues through age nine. 

Access to even one additional year of high quality pre-k learning has been shown to improve learning and life outcomes for children and improve kindergarten readiness. 

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts (Pre-K Counts) provides quality half-day and full-day pre-kindergarten to eligible three- and four-year-olds in Pennsylvania.

Pre-K Counts is designed for children who:

  • are between age three and until the entry age for kindergarten; or
  • are at risk of school failure and living in families earning up to 300 percent of the federal income poverty level (such as a family of four earning $72,900) who may also be English language learners or have special needs.

If you’re looking for a Pre-K Counts program in Allegheny County, Trying Together is pleased to work with our partners to provide the following list of open Pre-K Counts enrollment opportunities. Learn more about Pre-K Counts and eligibility requirements.

Kindergarten Transition

The transition to kindergarten marks a critical point in the lives of children and families. Students who are ready for kindergarten and attend the first day of school are more likely to read on grade-level by third grade, regularly attend school, make friends, and are less likely to drop out of high school. Early and on-time registration allows schools and districts to plan for classroom materials, resources, and staff as they prepare to welcome a new group of students. It also enables families to establish relationships with teachers and administrators that are so important for easing the stress and anxiety of children (and their families) as they begin elementary school.

Learn more about the importance of Kindergarten Transition with Trying Together’s Kindergarten Transition Whitepaper (PDF).

Register for Kindergarten

Top 10 Kindergarten Readiness Skills

Hi5! collaborated with a group of pre-k and kindergarten teachers to develop a list of academic, social, emotional, and physical skills for children entering kindergarten based on the PA Early Learning Standards. A list of more than 30 skills was sent to educators in school districts, child care programs, and Head Start programs throughout the region—including Allegheny, Butler, Fayette, Greene, and Westmoreland counties. View the checklist (PDF).

Translated versions:

About the Hi5! Partnership

Hi5! Kindergarten transition efforts are led in partnership with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 (AIU3), Trying Together, and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania (who generously fund the project). We have a leadership team that consists of community and state partners, principals, Head Start administrators, and early learning program directors. The Hi5! Partnership focuses on engaging all 43 public school districts in Allegheny County and supports each district to:

    • develop and implement their own kindergarten transition plans;
    • build awareness with families that when “your child reaches five years of age, it’s time to register” them for kindergarten;
    • network and share best practices between pre-k teachers, kindergarten teachers, early childhood program directors, and school administrators; and
    • gather community resources throughout the county.

These efforts align with the Every Student Succeeds Act, the new federal law passed in 2015 which required states to have a plan that includes thinking about the transition to kindergarten and how districts connect with early learning programs. For more information about the project, transition teams, and activities, please email hi5@tryingtogether.org, or view the Hi5! overview (PDF).

 

Hi5 anniversary