Countdown to the First Day of Kindergarten

3…2…1…Kindergarten Countdown! Believe it or not it’s time to start thinking about getting your child ready for the first day of kindergarten. Don’t worry. We’re here to help you register and prepare your child for this exciting day with a series of events.

Kindergarten Countdown (KCD) is IU Health’s Signature Volunteer project focusing on education. “We believe a successful education system is vital to the future of IU Health and the communities we serve,” says April Poteet, Community Outreach and Engagement with IU Health. “We partner with United Way to offer kindergarten registration events, pre kindergarten summer camps, and this year we will be introducing a pre k reader program.” All to prepare kids to succeed as new students.

Summer Camps

Summer camps are free for incoming kindergartners that have been identified as needing a little extra support in achieving success in Kindergarten. Camps are aimed at strengthening skills such as learning the alphabet, colors, numbers, shapes, fine motor skill development, following directions, and social/emotional development.

Pre K reader program

This year IU Health introduces ReadUP Reader, our Pre K reader program to promote literacy and help establish support for curriculum standards across the child care system. Volunteers’ will fill ‘lap hour’ gaps by reading to children, as well as providing classroom assistance as needed. The ReadUP Reader Program expands the benefits of summer camps across several months and provides children a longer-term intervention. We hope to engage at least 100 IU Health volunteers for this program.

Kickoff Event

Kindergarten Kickoff will officially start rolling April 14, 11 -2 at the Indianapolis Marion County Central Library. IU Health will provide free screenings and immunizations to Pre-K children attending the event. We will also have educational activities planned, characters, book giveaways, and free uniforms. Volunteers will be needed to help at this event. Read more about the Kindergarten Kickoff Event.

For more information about these events, please contact April Poteet at 317.962.9662.