Ventura Work Plan (2005)

Much work must be done in Ventura County before we can reap the benefits other communities are experiencing as a result of their investment in early education. Currently, only one-third of Ventura County’s eligible 3 and 4-year-olds have access to a quality subsidized preschool program. Within the Hueneme pilot Preschool for All site, it is estimated that less than half of the kindergartners arrive at school with the skills needed to succeed. When children come to school without basic skills school systems must disproportionately focus their limited dollars on remedial efforts to help them gain the social and academic skills needed for success. This drains the resources of teachers and schools and diminishes the ability of all children to reach their full potential; classroom activities become focused on helping children catch up, rather than helping all children excel.

Concerned about these trends and deeply committed to the future of the county, community leaders from many sectors have volunteered their expertise, time, and energy to develop a plan for providing preschool opportunities for all young children in Ventura County. Supported by grants, Ventura County is one of twelve counties in the state that was competitively selected by First 5 California and the Packard Foundation to be a leader in the Preschool for All movement.