Parent member, Velithia J. Pendergrass, shares her experience of enrolling her daughter in Metro Nashville Public School’s pre-K program.
I entered my daughter, Timora, into the Metro Nashville Public School (MNPS) early enrollment lottery this year and she was accepted at Ivanetta Davis Early Learning Center. This is actually the 2nd year we tried the lottery since she did not get into the school I wanted her to last year when she was 3.
First, I went to my local enrollment center and followed the steps to complete the application through MNPS. At which point, Timora received a student identification number. From there, we selected the schools that were of interest to us, we ranked from most to least interested, and then we waited.
I made sure all my i’s were dotted and t’s were crossed by the time enrollment came around this year. I was deliberate about researching possible school of interest and being prepared by the time enrollment opened. I made sure to apply on the first available date.
My favorite part of the pre-K program at Ivanetta Davis Early Learning Center is that Timora is allowed to explore her academic interests at an early age. Her favorite part is a center called “Dramatic Play,” where she enjoys housekeeping. She practices sweeping, fruit washing, food preparation, and other practical life skills. Timora says wants to be a chef.
I think that it is important for parents to understand that early education is of great importance and identifying how your child learns is crucial to their long-term success.
Pre-K and other similar programs jumpstart that process. This, to me, is most important. Pre-K helps identify where a child is in their development and shapes their educational path toward success.
Quality early-learning programs improve outcomes and narrow gaps.
Research shows that high-quality pre-K programs (which may include state pre-K, Head Start, and other early-learning and development programs designed to foster young children’s early development and learning to support school readiness) can help compensate for socioeconomic disparities and improve school readiness and later educational and life outcomes.
Click here to begin the process of quality pre-K program enrollment.
