Kindergarten readiness is critical for lifelong success — and it begins long before a child enters school. The years from birth to kindergarten are foundational, as research shows that children who are ready for kindergarten are far more likely to thrive in life. Ensuring strong starts requires a community wide investment in education, health care, child care and supportive neighborhoods.

The StriveTogether Kindergarten Readiness Playbook is a comprehensive guide to the latest research and best practices on kindergarten readiness, made possible by support from the Gates Foundation. Communities can use the playbook to identify local needs, prioritize areas for collective action and design tailored strategies. With coordinated efforts, we can ensure every child is ready to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.

Why Kindergarten Readiness Matters

Laying the Foundation for Success

Early readiness leads to future academic achievement, high school graduation, college attendance and, ultimately, economic mobility.

Ensuring Healthy Development

Prenatal care and early health interventions reduce risks associated with low birth weight and developmental delays. High-quality early child care fosters social, emotional and cognitive growth.

Strengthening Economies

Investing in early education yields high returns by improving life outcomes, reducing social costs over time and increasing communities’ economic mobility.

How to Use the Kindergarten Readiness Playbook

Mathematica’s Education-to-Workforce Framework is the inspiration behind the playbook’s organization and content. The playbook provides research-based guidance to help community leaders:

• Identify priorities
• Track key indicators to measure community-level progress
• Design strategies with stakeholders
• Build collective support for investments in early childhood development

How the Kindergarten Readiness Playbook Complements Mathematica’s Education-to-Workforce Framework

The playbooks supplements Mathematica’s Education-to-Workforce Framework by incorporating research on prenatal and neonatal care, child development for ages 0-3 and the need for high-quality, certified, representative educators. Additional practices and policies expand on the Education-to-Workforce Framework to improve accessibility for community-based organizations. Seventy percent of the indicators, practices and policies included in the Kindergarten Readiness Playbook come from the Education-to-Workforce Framework. The playbook also analyzes nine other frameworks to identify indicators that support kindergarten readiness across multiple sectors.