Better Beginnings: The State of Early Learning and Kindergarten Readiness in East Yakima

More than ever, getting our children ready to succeed at school is a national priority. Leaders, teachers, and parents want to learn about new ways to prepare children early so they can do well later in school and in life. Many want to know how to help children be prepared when they start kindergarten.

Research shows many Washington state children may need more early learning opportunities. This support can help them to start school prepared. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation wrote, “Investing in Children: An Early Learning Strategy for Washington.” This report tells of six family challenges that may put many Washington state children behind others when they start school, such as living in poverty and living with a single parent or no parent.

Almost one-fourth of Washington state’s children under age 5 have two or more of these family challenges. Some teachers say most of their kindergartners from the lowest-income families are not ready when they begin school.