Ensuring a Bright Start

A child’s first five years of life are the most critical time for brain development, but 33 percent of Massachusetts children enter kindergarten unprepared to learn. All children have the potential to succeed in school and in life, but not all children have the same opportunities to realize that potential. Many children lack important support that prepares them for school and academic success. Without it, these children can quickly fall behind and often never catch up. Unless they can read at grade level by third grade, they’re four times less likely to graduate from high school.

Lower income parents, especially those who speak little or no English, have limited education or are unfamiliar with the culture, often feel incapable of participating in their children’s education. They depend on the public schools as the sole educator of their children. The unfortunate result is that children from these homes often start school one or two years developmentally behind their higher-income peers.

Helping parents succeed as their child’s first, best teachers is central. Parents and caregivers need tools and resources to support their children's education, development, and well-being.

United Way supports:

• Access to quality childcare and early education
• Early Intervention Assessment
• Kindergarten readiness
• Early childhood literacy
• Social-emotional learning opportunities