Sage YMCA Preschoolers Are Ready to Get Back to School

By Lyss Welding, Learning and Evaluation, YMCA of Metro Chicago

Sage YMCA preschoolers are ready for back-to-school season. At the YMCA of Metro Chicago, early learning programs focus on strengthening children’s academic readiness so they are prepared for transition times, such as the important move to kindergarten.

Last year, the preschool classes at Sage YMCA completed the nationally recognized, validated Bracken School Readiness Assessment to help measure their progress in academic readiness over the course of the year. The Bracken assessment covers basic concepts that contribute to starting school ready to succeed: colors, letters, numbers and counting, shapes, and sizes and comparisons.

While Sage classrooms’ scores were relatively high in the fall, their outcomes increased dramatically over the course of the year. By spring, Sage preschool students increased their scores in all concepts tested in the assessment, and 100% of the children surpassed national benchmarks for kindergarten readiness.

The Bracken assessment has been tested for reliability and validity with thousands of children from classrooms across the country, by comparing these children’s Bracken results to their academic outcomes later in schooling. These types of measurement tools help the Y recognize how children benefit from programs to achieve positive outcomes, and they help teachers plan for instruction.

The results of the Bracken come as no surprise to Sage Y’s teachers, who have their eyes and ears closely attuned to the concept development of each child. Sage YMCA teachers informally assess children’s learning throughout the year. They observe and document signs of children’s development and monitor their progress to promote individualized learning for every child.

The results from the Bracken assessment speak to one component of children’s learning and development: the basic concepts for kindergarten readiness. In addition to these basics, YMCA preschool supports children’s holistic development through deep inquiry and experiential learning. The YMCA nurtures and teaches physical, social and emotional readiness, so children are ready to think critically, solve problems, and lead healthy, active lives.

We’re proud of our Sage YMCA preschoolers!

To register your child or to learn more about Sage YMCA Preschool, please contact Sally Oginni or call 815.459.4455.