Grand Rapids Public Schools, First Steps and the Great Start Collaborative of Kent County launched a new program to ease the transition to kindergarten and prepare families for school success.

Children and their parents attended KinderCamp sessions at Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy and Burton Elementary School in Grand Rapids in August.  The free, week-long program introduced children and their parents to their elementary school and helped them adjust to the routines and expectations of kindergarten.  While the incoming kindergarteners were with their teachers, their parents also were in class, discussing things like how to keep their family organized, volunteer opportunities, and school programs such as the Kent School Services Network.

KinderCamp was free to families and was funded through an early education grant from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation and Grand Rapids Public Schools Title I funds.  KinderCamp is based on similar programs across the country that have proven effective at improving children’s readiness to learn, in part by easing the anxiety children may feel as they begin school.

“Many of our children have not had a preschool experience, so the concept of a classroom is new to them,” explained Joanne Kelty, Director of Early Childhood for GRPS.  “Helping children feel comfortable in school and getting them excited about learning will prepare them to thrive from day one.”

Children who participate in KinderCamp received backpacks and other supplies for school.  Their parents received home organizers, parenting information and other tools that will help them ensure that their child’s education gets off to a great start.