Santa Ana-Based KidWorks’ State-Licensed Preschool Defies Local Odds

Students enrolled at nonprofit KidWorks’ high-quality, state-licensed preschool that serves the lowest -income families living in under-resourced neighborhoods in central Santa Ana are defying the odds.

Fully 91% of eligible students graduating from the free preschool program at KidWorks have been assessed as developmentally ready for the next step in their educational journey. In contrast, only 42% of Latino children start kindergarten developmentally ready countywide, according to the Orange County Community Foundation 2024 Orange County Indicators Report.

Morning and afternoon class sizes here average 24 students aged three to five years. With Preschool Director Idalia Galdamez at the helm, the staff includes two full-time teachers, two substitute teachers, and an assistant. All are bilingual. The preschool’s three core staff leaders have each been with KidWorks for more than 15 years and together have more than 66 years of total experience in the early childhood education field. Uniquely, they have witnessed preschool alumni progress through KidWorks programs all the way to attending college.

KidWorks has achieved this level of success by providing preschoolers with holistic programs and experiences to help them become leaders both in and out of the classroom. Through a balance of academics and play-based learning, preschool helps build the necessary physical, social, emotional, and academic skills essential for success in kindergarten and beyond.

The success of the KidWorks Preschool program has been measured by Quality Start OC’s Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS), which is designed to support, promote, and improve the quality of early learning programs throughout Orange County. Early learning programs are assessed according to a rating matrix and sites are assigned a rating between one and five stars, with a rating of four and five stars deemed the highest.

In 2019, the KidWorks Preschool received an impressive rating of four out of five stars, on par with the scores preschools in more affluent Orange County communities have received.

Specifically, KidWorks received five stars for Assessment and Planning, Developmental and Health Screening, and Teacher Qualifications. Four stars were awarded for the preschool’s Ratio and Group Size, Program Environment, and Director Qualifications, with three stars awarded for Effective Teaching.

The success of the preschool is consistent with findings in a 2017 report called "The Current State of Scientific Knowledge on Pre-Kindergarten Effects.” Authored by early childhood experts, the report concludes that while all kids benefit from preschool, poor and disadvantaged kids often make the most gains.

The study noted that researchers who study pre-K education often find that children who have had early experiences of economic scarcity and insecurity gain more from these programs than their more advantaged peers.

Children who are dual-language learners "show relatively large benefits from pre-K education" — both in their English-language proficiency and in other academic skills. Dual-language learners are mostly lower income, Spanish- speaking children, often with underdeveloped pre-literacy and pre-math skills, the report cited.

“We are proud of the success our preschool has achieved since opening in 2005,” said KidWorks CEO David Benavides. “We firmly believe preschool is a child’s first step towards college success.”

He said KidWorks goes the extra mile for the community, creating an environment for youth to unleash their potential with mentorship and leadership development resources for the entire family. Its diverse programs, coupled with intentional guidance, fuel internal growth and set KidWorks students up for a meaningful and fulfilling future and career.

Bringing more than a quarter-century of experience in early childhood education and administration, Preschool Director Galdamez is committed to providing a safe space for preschoolers to excel and develop to their maximum potential. She has fostered strong partnerships with families, staff, volunteers, interns, and other organizations such as PBS SoCal, StartWell, and Quality Start OC.

“My expertise lies in ensuring a high-quality, engaging educational experience for all children where they feel valued, respected, loved, and empowered to reach their full potential," she said.

Last fall, KidWorks added its Legacy certified, interactive outdoor classroom to the preschool program that is designed to stimulate students’ minds, sense of curiosity, and creativity. It’s one of the few outdoor classrooms built in a state-licensed California preschool operating in an underserved and economically challenged community and serves as a model for others throughout the nation. Nature Explore, who consulted on the project, has been highlighting the classroom in its presentations in Canada and the U.S.

For over 10 years, 100% of KidWorks seniors have graduated high school on time and continued to higher education.

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About KidWorks

Since 1993, KidWorks has helped children, youth and families living in under-resourced neighborhoods in central Santa Ana, California. As a 501(C) (3) nonprofit, KidWorks makes an 18-year commitment to its students walking with students from “Pre-K through B.A.”

For over a decade, KidWorks celebrated 100% of our high school seniors graduated on-time and all pursued higher education. We are also proud to report that 72% of our college students returned to school this fall. In addition to our traditional after-school programs, we added supplemental support to better serve the needs of our students and families.

To learn more about KidWorks and to read its success stories, please visit www.kidworksoc.org.