Just Ask A Mom

Primrose’s Balanced Approach

Before we talk results, it’s important to consider the meaning of “school readiness.” At Primrose, being ready for school means more than just learning how to add and spell. It means learning how to think critically, use mathematical concepts, jump, run, play, share and show self-control – all skills that support a positive transition to elementary school and beyond.

Primrose’s Balanced Learning^® Curriculum blends academics, play and character development to nurture a lifelong love of learning. In addition to core academic subjects, the curriculum includes enrichment programs in music, art, physical activity, sign language, Spanish, technology and social skills.

Just Ask A Mom: Primrose Parents Report Successful Transition to Elementary School

We asked Primrose moms (and dads), whose children have graduated from Primrose and gone on to elementary school, to rate their child’s readiness for school. We were thrilled to hear that Primrose children are succeeding.

• Primrose parents rated their children above 90% in school readiness factors like ability to relate to peers, attitude towards learning, classroom behavior, concern and caring for others, and transition to elementary school.
• Parents whose children were enrolled in the Primrose After-School Program and had graduated from a Pre-K or Kindergarten Primrose School program indicated a greater percentage of above average performance from their children than parents whose children did not have prior Primrose School experience.

These results are from a third-party survey conducted by Unifocus over the last three years (2009-2011).

Bracken Assessment Validates Balanced Learning^®

Primrose uses the Bracken Assessment, an individual assessment carefully designed for children, to assess mastery of basic readiness concepts that are foundational to school success. We’re so proud of how well our Pre-K and Kindergarten students consistently score on this assessment because it means we are sending them off ready for school.

The Bracken Assessments looks at six basic skills – colors, letters, numbers, counting, sizes, comparisons and shapes. Teachers sit down with children individually and ask them to answer questions orally or to point to the picture that best answers the question. Both the BSRA-3 (Bracken School Readiness Assessment-3) and the BBCS (Bracken Basic Concept Scale) are nationally normed, developmentally appropriate, and have been shown to predict readiness for more formal education in elementary school.    

Ready for School, Foundation for Life

Consider this: the most active time of brain development occurs before age five. Strong neural connections formed during this essential time are established by every experience children have with their environment. The quality of those early interactions determines how well children will continue to learn and form relationships, strongly influencing their future success and happiness.

Research confirms that a focus on academic skills alone is not sufficient to ensure children’s success in school. They also need nurturing guidance and attention to every aspect of development in the early years so they can develop compassion, confidence, and a love of learning, in addition to competence in reading and math. These capabilities are easy to take for granted, but can make all the difference in how a child responds to school and life beyond the classroom.

Looking for more information about school readiness and choosing a child care option for your child? Visit our Resources page.