MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont’s young kids are above the national average for school readiness but there’s still more work to be done, according to the latest State of Vermont’s Children report.
The annual report put together by the Building Bright Futures Early Childhood State Advisory Council outlines the opportunities available to children and families and compiles data on school success, Department for Children and Families custody, and the need for new policies. It also shows Vermont children aged three to five are better prepared for school than kids in other states, including high test scores for that age group in math and science.
However, concerns about mental health and early childhood development continue. Officials say community partners must be more involved in the process of improving child care and that the report is just one of many steps helping the state develop a five-year-plan addressing its child care goals.