It is a program designed to help kids and caregivers prepare for kindergarten. It is especially targeted towards families whose children have not attended preschool.
Kindergarten Gear Up consists of ten, one-hour sessions that can be run once a week for ten weeks or twice a week for five weeks.
Yes! Branches should expect to pause 1-2 current programs while Kindergarten Gear Up is in session. Kindergarten Gear Up should not be added in addition to an already full program load.
One staff member is required to run the majority of the program up to 12 kids. If 13-24 kids in participation, there must be an additional adult present. Another adult is needed to facilitate the caregiver portion. This person can be a library volunteer or a staff member. When possible, it is best to have an additional staff member or library volunteer to assist with the children. The caregiver portion will require a coordinator but at least four sessions should be hosted by community members.
Because there is a component of the session where the caregivers are not in the room, we must have one adult for every 12 children. (This is based on CA State standards). The second adult can be a staff member or library volunteer. In order for everyone to have the best experience, branches should not have more than 24 children in a session.
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