Quality preschool in Ventura County subject of recent symposium

Community leaders, along with experts in the fields of child development and education, took an important first step toward making quality preschool for all Ventura County children a reality. At the Preschool for All Symposium, hosted by First 5 Ventura County, participants heard the latest research on the benefits of preschool for young children and began developing a strategy to bring access to high quality preschools for all children in Ventura County.

"Preschool for All is an investment in our future," said Claudia Harrison, executive director of First 5 Ventura County. "Research shows that children who are enrolled in preschool at ages 3 and 4 do better in school—when their brains are developing most dramatically—and go on to become contributing members of the community."

The symposium featured experts who presented the issues concerning preschool and the opportunities for Ventura County children. Charles Weis, Ph.D., Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, participated in the development of the State Master Plan for Education.

"Providing access to enriching preschool experiences will help young learners transition successfully from one level of school to another. This direct investment in the early years is the key to children’s later success in school and in life," said Weis.

"Every child in our community deserves the chance to attend a quality preschool," said Dr. Robert Levin, chair of First 5 Ventura County’s Preschool for All committee.

"Today’s symposium helped to lay the groundwork for making it happen," Levin said.

Preschool for All is one step in assuring that children are "school ready," which involves children’s cognitive, mental, social, emotional and physical preparedness for school.

It’s a step that most Californians support: a recent survey conducted by Peter D. Hart Research shows that 73 percent of Californians surveyed said "providing opportunities for children to attend quality preschool programs" was "extremely" or "very" important.

In the last three years, the First 5 Ventura County-funded Neighborhoods for Learning have created more than 700 new preschool spaces and more than 1,000 summer-intensive preschool slots.

Preschool for All is a statewide effort led by First 5 California. Ventura County is one of 10 counties statewide to receive a $100,000 Preschool for All planning grant from the David and Lucille Packard Foundation.