Getting ready for kindergarten is a big milestone — for your child and for you. It’s natural to wonder: Is my child ready? What should they know before walking into that classroom?
The truth is, readiness isn’t only about letters and numbers.
It’s also about confidence, independence, and social-emotional growth. In fact, new research reveals 82% of parents agree children entering kindergarten with confidence is just as important as reciting the alphabet.
At Cadence Education, we’ve seen firsthand how children thrive when they’re supported in every area of development — not just academics.
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Why Families Choose Cadence
At Cadence Education, we serve families across the country with programs designed to balance academics and social-emotional growth. Parents choose us because we offer:
- Experienced teachers who model positive behaviors
- A curriculum that blends learning with play
- A nurturing environment where children feel safe
- Proven results in preparing children for kindergarten
With our Kind Child® program and research-backed curriculum, your child won’t just be ready for kindergarten — they’ll be excited for it.
How Cadence Kids Are Growing
Over the past school year, our preschool 4-year-olds showed impressive growth on the Scholastic Kindergarten Readiness Test (KRT), 3rd Edition:
- 20% increase across all learning domains
- 23% increase in letter recognition and phonemic awareness
- 20% increase in numbers, operations, and measurement
These results confirm what we already believe: academic growth comes naturally when social and emotional needs are met first.
How We Measure Progress
We use the Scholastic Kindergarten Readiness Test (KRT), 3rd Edition to see how children are doing across all areas of development. This includes:
- Literacy and phonemic awareness
- Number sense and early math skills
- Problem-solving
- Following directions and routines
The data shows what we already see in our classrooms every day — Cadence kids are thriving.
We’re also surveying our own Cadence families so we can continue to set benchmarks, measure progress, and ensure we’re preparing every child for success.
Why Kindergarten Readiness Is More Than Academics
Parents everywhere are rethinking what it means to be “ready” for kindergarten. Yes, children need early reading, writing, and math skills. But families today also want schools to nurture things like:
- Creativity and imagination
- Emotional intelligence
- Social development and friendships
- Confidence and resilience
Experts agree — these “soft skills” are just as important as academic skills. They help children build relationships, solve problems, and feel confident enough to tackle challenges.
That’s why all Cadence Education schools take a whole-child approach. We want your child to start kindergarten not just ready to learn, but excited to learn.
What Parents Tell Us Matters Most
We hear from parents every day: you want a school that will prepare your child academically, but you also want a place where they’ll feel safe, loved, and supported. That’s where our Kind Child® program makes a difference.
Through Kind Child, our teachers model and encourage qualities like friendship, thankfulness, positive self-image, and responsibility. Children get daily opportunities to practice these skills in real-life classroom situations.
The result?
Confident, capable kids who know how to treat others kindly while taking pride in their own growth.
Kindergarten Ready Checklist
You may be wondering what readiness looks like in everyday life. Readiness is about confidence and progress– not perfection.
Remember, no child is expected to do all of these perfectly. Every child develops at their own pace. Your role as a parent — and ours as educators — is to guide and support them as they grow. The best advice we have is to read and talk with your children as much as possible. Introduce your child to a wide variety of words and real-life experiences.
Here are some signs your child is on the right track:
General Information Kindergarten-Ready Children Should Know:
- First and Last Name
- “I go to [School Name]”
- Age/Birthday
Cognitive and Academic Skills:
- Recognizes at least 15 uppercase letters, numbers 1-10, and 5-7 shapes
- Colors – Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange, Purple
- Can write most or all of their first name
- How to count to 20
- Can follow directions with at least 2 steps
- Understands the meaning behind prepositions such as: in, out, before, behind, under, on top of, on, up, down
Language and Communication Skills:
- Speaks in complete sentences
- Listens to and retells simple stories
- Can ask questions and share ideas
- Joins group conversations and activities
Social and Emotional Development:
- Plays cooperatively with other children
- Can take turns playing with another child
- Able to share even if they are not always willing to do so
- Can sit down next to an adult and listen to a story
- Can play with a toy alone for at least 7 minutes
- Manages emotions with occasional support
- Shows empathy and builds friendships
Independence and Self-Help Skills:
- Uses the bathroom independently, including wiping themselves and pulling up underpants and straightening out clothing
- Can wash hands and dress with independence
- Button, snap, and/or zip clothing
- Knows how to put things in their backpack, put their lunch away, and put their items in a cubby
- Is willing to try new tasks with growing confidence
Let’s Get Ready Together
If you’re asking yourself, Is my child ready for kindergarten?, know that you’re not alone. Every parent wonders the same thing. At Cadence, we’re here to reassure you, guide you, and celebrate your child’s growth every step of the way.
We’d love to show you how our programs prepare children for kindergarten success — and how your child can thrive here, too.