Jefferson Ready Start Network

Mission

Jefferson Ready Start Network aims to create a culture of high-quality, comprehensive early childhood services through engagement and partnerships with families, educators and community members.

Vision

All children birth to age 5 in Jefferson Parish have access to quality early childhood experiences that will prepare them to succeed.

Provider Spotlight ✨Opened in Rivertown in 2022, Kinderland Academy was created from one mother's passion for children and her desire to make quality early care more accessible for families. After working in early education since high school, the center's director was inspired to open her own Type 3 center after experiencing challenges of finding affordable care for her son. Today, Kinderland Academy serves a diverse group of children and celebrates a major milestone this year with its very first enrolled student moving up to kindergarten. The director also serves on JRSN's Grassroots Committee to help support more accessible early education opportunities across Jefferson Parish. Thank you, Kinderland Academy, for making a difference for local children and families. 💙 ... See MoreSee Less
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Tuesday, Jefferson Ready Start Network joined providers, teachers, families, advocates and children from across Louisiana at the State Capitol for A Day Without Child Care, a national day of action bringing awareness to the critical importance of early care and education.Led in Louisiana by For Providers by Providers and supported by organizations including the Child Care Association of Louisiana, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and many others, the event highlighted how deeply child care impacts families, businesses and our workforce.More than 1,200 participants gathered at the Capitol, while approximately 150 child care centers across the state closed their doors for the day so providers and educators could make their voices heard.The day included a press conference featuring legislative leaders and advocates, activities for children and educational booths focused on strengthening Louisiana’s early childhood systems.When child care is unavailable, parents can’t work, businesses feel the strain and children miss out on critical early learning opportunities. Early care and education is not just a family issue, it is a workforce and economic issue.We are proud to stand alongside partners across Louisiana advocating for stronger investments in the future of our children, families and communities.#DayWithoutChildCare #EarlyChildhoodEducation #JeffersonReadyStart #Louisiana ... See MoreSee Less
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In Jefferson Parish…

There are

28k children birth to age 5

of
those

15-21k are economically disadvantaged

and

~4k are served by publicly funded seats

Why Does This Matter?

  • 90% of brain development occurs before the age of 5.
  • Children in a quality early learning center are 25% more likely to graduate from high school and 25% more likely to graduate from college.
  • Children not in quality early learning centers are 70% more likely to commit a violent crime by age 18.
  • Parents who can’t afford early care and education are forced to miss work more often, making it hard on businesses to find workers.
  • The Louisiana economy loses over 1.3 billion dollars every year due to breakdowns in our child care system.

Jefferson Ready Start Network is driven by our community’s need to improve opportunities and inspire change for children from birth to 5. We aim to create a culture of high-quality, comprehensive early childhood services through engagement and partnerships with families, educators and community members.

Are you ready to join us?