Kindergarten Transition Fair at Queen Anne Place

"So often children enter kindergarten afraid of the unfamiliar surroundings, and it can take weeks for them to relax enough to learn," said Nikki Dana, program coordinator for the Queen Anne Ready for School Program. "The fair helps parents prepare themselves and their child over the summer so instead of being afraid that first day, the child is excited and ready to learn."

At the fair, parents visited 10 stations offering a range of materials including kindergarten level math and literacy handouts as well as Healthy Start/Ready for School information. Parents could also sign their child up for a summer kindergarten preparation class, learn how to become a volunteer at the school, or get to meet their child's soon-to-be kindergarten teacher. Children attending the fair got a free backpack full of books, notepads, plastic letters and other learning materials for their summer use.

Serving some 400 community children 0-5 and their families, Queen Anne's Ready for School Program also works closely with their Healthy Start Program, which assists youngsters from kindergarten through elementary school. Both programs share a network of more than 30 community providers offering services for specific family needs. "Sometimes we get children who don't have an adequate diet, or there is substance abuse in the home," said Jeanette Ward, the program coordinator for the Healthy Start Program. "We help them with those needs, so the child can focus on school." Jeanette was there to welcome the families into the Healthy Start Program.

First 5 LA interviewed several of the teachers and leaders at Queen Anne. Click below to watch interviews with Queen Anne's Principal, Dr. Mary Hall, Program Coordinator Nikki Dana, and the preschool and Kinder-teachers.

‹‹Back to this week's Monday Morning Report