A Ready School provides a seamless continuum of learning for children ages 3 through 8 between children’s early care and educational experiences, elementary schools, families, and communities. This is also known as a PreK-3 approach.

The State of North Carolina defines a Ready School as follows:

• A Ready School provides an inviting atmosphere, values and respects all children and their families;
• It is a place where all children succeed;
• It is committed to high quality in all domains of learning and teaching;
• It has deep connections with parents and the community; and
• It prepares children for success in work and life in the 21st century.

The NC State Board of Education defined eight Pathways that would lead to Ready Schools:

1. Pathway One: Leaders & Leadership
2. Pathway Two: Family, School, & Community Partnerships
3. Pathway Three: Transitions
4. Pathway Four: Respecting Diversity
5. Pathway Five: Engaging Environments
6. Pathway Six: Effective Curricula, Instruction, & Child Assessment
7. Pathway Seven: Teacher Supports & Adult Learning Communities
8. Pathway Eight: Assessing Progress & Assuring Quality

Through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc./Smart Start partnered with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Office of Early Learning to support the development of Ready Schools throughout North Carolina.