MISSION: READY

Kindergarten Readiness

The first five years of a child’s life are fundamental to their future success,

particularly in the classroom. But making the most of this critical time is a

challenge, with less than half of children ready for Kindergarten in our

community by age 5.

These gaps have the most significant impacts on kindergarten readiness.

Students who aren’t ready for Kindergarten are behind before they ever

enter the classroom. And unless successful intervention takes place, they

will continue to fall behind and stay behind.

SEE THE STATS

SEE OUR INITIATIVES

52%

3%

90%

of children are not ready to enter Kindergarten by age five.

of the funds invested into in public education in the US, is allocated to early childhood success.

of a child’s brain is developed between the ages of 0-3.

We Saved You a Seat – Let’s Create Change Together!

IMPLEMENT THE
BASICS

OUR ROADMAP FOR KINDERGARTEN READINESS

BRUW IS IMPLEMENTING THE BASICS WACCAMAW
IN GEORGETOWN AND WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES BY:

Partnering with local child development centers, community organizations, and Tidelands Health.
Implementing the Bright by Text Campaign. Bright by Text provides free tips, information, games, and
resources to parents and caregivers of children prenatal to age eight. Through our partnership with SC
ETV, Black River United Way is able to provide this platform free of charge to all parents in Georgetown
and Williamsburg Counties.
Providing mobile Dramatic Learn & Play Centers as a free resource to child development centers, equipping teachers with tools to facilitate learning and brain development through immersive and imaginative play.

INCREASE FAMILY
ENGAGEMENT

SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION
CHILDREN TO
KINDERGARTEN

WE INFORM, ENGAGE, AND CONNECT FAMILIES WITH RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN'S EARLY DEVELOPMENT BY:

Connecting parents and children ages 0-5 with resources for reading and increased access to books through the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge.
Providing free parenting classes and workshops in Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties, through Triple P - the Positive Parenting Program, supporting families and caregivers as they raise resilient children.

BRUW IS WORKING TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN EARLY CHILDHOOD AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BY:

Providing a Kindergarten transition camp, KinderWaves to prepare pre-K children for the expectations and structure of elementary schools and assessing their kindergarten readiness (42 children at 6 schools in 2024 - looking to grow!)
Partnering with GCSD and WCSD to host Kindergarten Readiness Days, events designed to equip parents and caregivers with the knowledge and resources needed to ensure their child’s kindergarten readiness.

CHILDREN ENTER KINDERGARTEN READY BY AGE 5

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT MISSION: READY

TAKE ACTION

Read our policy agenda and how it impacts kindergarten readiness.

ADVOCACY AGENDA

GIVE BACK

Your gift to Black River United Way supports our kindergarten transition and family engagement programs, ensuring every child gets the best start in life.

WAYS TO GIVE

GET INVOLVED

Help us implement The Basics! Whether at home, in the workplace, or in childcare settings, churches or community gathering spaces, together we can ensure children start kindergarten ready and excited to learn!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

2025 GAME PLAN

MISSION: READY INITIATIVES

THE BASICS
WACCAMAW

The Basics is a community-level public health strategy, working within and across organizations to embed The Basics Principles for promoting early childhood development–into routine family engagement efforts.

THE BASICS PRINCIPLES

“Maximize Love, Minimize Stress”

“Talk, Sing, & Point"

"Count, Group, & Compare"

“Explore Through Movement & Play”

“Read & Discuss Stories”

Please contact Tylr Barr at TBarr@blackriveruw.org for more information.

1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN

1000 Books before Kindergarten is a book drive campaign that puts little libraries in the hands of children Birth - 5 years old. We partner with businesses and other organizations in this nationwide challenge where families and caregivers are encouraged to read 1000 books to their children before Kindergarten.

Please contact Tylr Barr at TBarr@blackriveruw.org for more information.

KINDERWAVES

KinderWaves is the first summer Kindergarten transition camp in Georgetown County School District - to prepare rising Kindergarteners for elementary school.

Please contact Tylr Barr at TBarr@blackriveruw.org for more information.

LEARN & PLAY CENTERS

Our Learn & Play Centers are a free mobile resource to help early childhood education environments facilitate learning and brain development through immersive and imaginative play.

TRIPLE P

Triple P (the Positive Parenting Program) is one of the most trusted parenting programs across the globe, utilized in over 30 countries. This evidence based program is a parenting and family support system designed to prevent and treat behavioral and emotional problems in children up to the age of 12.

Black River United Way has been able to offer this program to our community since 2019, thanks to the partnership of the Children’s Trust of South Carolina.

Please contact Carolyn Williams at carolyn@blackriveruw.org for more information.

CHECK OUT OUR THIRD GRADE READING SUCCESS INITIATIVE

MISSION: READ

GET INVOLVED