​Early Childhood Connections (ECC) partners remain dedicated to strengthening early childhood transitions so every child arrives in kindergarten feeling capable, supported, and ready to learn. By working together—and listening to families—we are building a stronger, more connected system for Coös County’s youngest learners.

​COORDINATING EARLY CHILDHOOD TRANSITIONS

​​Helping children move confidently from preschool to kindergarten takes partnership. Across Coös County, schools, child care programs, Head Start, and families work together through the Early Childhood Connections (ECC) network to make sure every child feels prepared, supported, and ready to learn on day one.

​Why Transitions Matter

A child’s transition into kindergarten is a significant milestone—for the child and the family. Smooth transitions:
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• Build confidence and reduce anxiety
• Strengthen routines and readiness skills
• Ensure children enter school with the support they need
• Align expectations across home, preschool, and kindergarten settings

Our ECC partners meet throughout the year to share practices, align approaches, and identify ways we can improve transitions for all children across the region.

What We Do Together

Instead of each community working in isolation, ECC brings partners together to coordinate on shared priorities that support children ages 3–6.

✔ ​Align shared “ready-to-learn” skills

Across all regions, partners identified four county-wide SEL priorities needed for a successful transition:

• Managing emotions & disappointment
• Trying again when things are hard
• Showing kindness & positive interactions with peers
• Being independent in basic self-care (toileting, handwashing, dressing)

These skills help children feel confident, connected, and ready to participate in kindergarten routines.

✔ Strengthen communication & collaboration across settings
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• School teams, child care providers, Head Start, and community preschools collaborate through:
  
• Joint planning meetings
  
• Shared language for SEL routines (e.g., Conscious Discipline phrases, problem-solving words)
  
• Cross-setting classroom visits in spring and fall
  
• Spring data-sharing meetings (with parent consent)
  
• Alignment of expectations and readiness materials
  
• These efforts ensure children encounter consistent expectations across all environments.
  

✔ ​Support families before, during, and after the transition​

Family voice drives our decision-making. Parents help identify what information is most helpful and where gaps exist.
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Shared practices across the region include:

• Parent Night
• Step-Up Day
• Kickstart to Kindergarten
• Staggered first day
• Clear logistics guidance (drop-off routines, cafeteria procedures, school culture)

Parents consistently report that transitions feel smoother, more predictable, and more supportive when information is clear and early.

What Families Can Expect

Whether your child is in Head Start, child care, or with a family caregiver, ECC communities work to ensure your family experiences:
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• Consistent, developmentally appropriate expectations
• Clear communication about routines, school culture, transportation, cafeteria, and what to expect in kindergarten
• Multiple opportunities to connect with kindergarten teachers before the first day
• Resources to support readiness at home (SEL visuals, kindergarten readiness guides)
• Aligned language across settings to help children recognize familiar routines and strategies

These practices help reduce anxiety—for children and adults—and build confidence.

What Our Partners Do Across the Region​

• Educators, child care programs, and family-serving organizations collaborate to:

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• Share SEL priorities and teaching strategies.
• Coordinate spring data-sharing (with family consent).
• Conduct classroom visits both ways (K → PreK and PreK → K).
• Share resources such as fine-motor toolkits, language strategies, and visuals.
• Reinforce routines like turn-taking, problem-solving, and independence.
• Host transition events and family nights that introduce families to school life

This shared approach helps every child enter kindergarten supported—not just academically, but emotionally and socially.

Shared SEL Priorities Across Coös County​

​ECC regions across Coös County use a shared list of SEL indicators to guide kindergarten transition work. Each community selects the indicators that best support its children and families, but all draw from the same county-wide foundation.

               SEL Indicators

🎈 Regulate emotions and behaviors

💬 Use words to express wants and needs

🤝 Resolve conflicts with words

😊 Show kindness, empathy, and awareness of others’ feelings

👥 Participate in small and large groups

🔄 Follow simple rules, routines, and transitions

👕 Dress independently (shoes, zippers, buttons, coats)

🚽 Use the toilet and wash hands independently

🍽️ Sit at a table, demonstrate basic manners, and feed oneself

🧩 Take turns, share, and cooperate during play

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These indicators help children build confidence, independence, and relationship skills that support a smooth transition into kindergarten. Each ECC region selects 3–5 to focus on throughout the year.

⭐ Early Childhood Connections (ECC) Summit

​Join an ECC Workgroup

Since its launch, the ECC Summit has served as a county-wide gathering where early childhood educators, kindergarten teams, child care providers, Head Start, family leaders, and community partners come together to strengthen preschool-to-kindergarten transitions.

The Summit’s purpose has always been to:

​Highlight what is working in our communities.

Share transition strategies that support young children and families.

Build cross-sector relationships.

Lift the family voice and authentic experiences.

Align practices across schools, programs, and regions.

​Each year, the Summit helps ensure that our early childhood system grows more connected, consistent, and supportive for every child entering kindergarten in Coös County.

ECC workgroups bring together families, schools, early childhood programs, Head Start, Family Resource Centers, and community partners to coordinate kindergarten transitions.
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Meetings occur 3–4 times per year and focus on SEL priorities, transition practices, and shared planning for the region.

Join Lancaster/Whitefield Workgroup

Join Gorham Workgroup

Join Berlin Workgroup

Join Littleton Area Workgroup

Join Groveton/Colebrook Workgroup

Join Milan Workgroup