Pandemic has drawn awareness to need for access to high quality affordable child care. Toledo had engaged in Pre-K planning for the last 2 years to bring growing awareness to sector and it's importance. Centers receiving Job and Family Services (JFS) dollars required to participate in Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) system by 2020. 

We could notice Children entering Kindergarten prepared have few restricting Factors: 

• Children are not attending preschool & affordability in terms of cost does affect enrolling in preschool.
• Preschool is not mandated by the state, exception for children with IEPs.
• Lack of education surrounding why preschool and early learning experiences matter.
• Families that have to make budget choices often choose to reduce expenses by removing their child from preschool.
• Lack of social emotional skills to be successful in kindergarten.
• Parent engagement with children.
• Communication between districts and preschool providers (Childcare center).

Programs empowering our community with school Readiness

• Adelante 
• Catholic Club
• Mom's House
• Toledo Day Nursery
• YWCA Northwest Ohio
• Harbor Behavioral Health
• Bright Horizons Advocacy & Consulting
• Children's Resource Center
• University of Toledo Medical College Reach Out & Read