It's almost time!

The big day is fast approaching. That's right... election day 2008! Over the past couple of months, we've outlined the early childhood policy positions of the presidential candidates and encouraged you to get to know your own local candidates. But soon, all the talk will be over.

First, the most important thing is to vote on November 4. If you live in Minnesota and don't know where to vote, check out the polling place finder. If you want to know who will be on your ballot, the League of Women Voters has a tool to help you find out.

If you haven't registered yet, don't worry! In Minnesota we have same-day voter registration. You just need to go to your polling place on election day and provide proof of residence. Just just need to provide one of the following as proof (from the Secretary of State website):

• A valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit, Minnesota ID card, or receipt for any of these
• A valid student ID card including your photo, if your college has provided a student housing list to election officials
• A Tribal ID card that contains your picture and signature
• A valid registration in the same precinct under a different name or address
• A notice of late registration sent to you by your county auditor or city clerk
• A voter registered in the same precinct as you who can confirm your address with a signed oath
• An employee of the residential facility where you live who can confirm your address with a signed oath

Alternatively, you may provide both 1) a photo ID from the list below, and 2) a current bill with your current name and address in the precinct.

Photo IDs (may be expired)	Bills (delivered electronically or by mail)
Minnesota Driver's License Minnesota ID Card United States Passport United States Military ID Card Tribal ID Card Minnesota University, College, or Technical College ID Card	Utility bill due within 30 days of election day: Telephone (landline, cell, VOIP, etc.) TV (cable, satellite, etc.) Internet services Electric Gas Solid Waste Sewer Services Water Rent statement dated within 30 days of election day that itemizes utilities Current student fee statement

If you have problems getting to, registering or voting at the polls, call the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

Second, help us Get Out the Vote! Ready 4 K is part of the Election Day Community Coalition to do voter turn out in North Minneapolis. We will have three four-hour volunteer shifts from 8am-12pm, 12pm-4pm, and 4pm-8pm. Volunteer activities include phoning, door knocking, giving rides to the polls, and being poll watchers. No experience necessary. Contact Kat for more information.

This is such an exciting time for our community and our country. Join us in this historic occasion and VOTE!

photo by Vaguely Artistic via flickr

Early Childhood gains national attention

If you missed the final presidential debate, early childhood and education received attention in the final question. Here is the transcript of that portion of the debate.

Question: The question is this: the U.S. spends more per capita than any other country on education. Yet, by every international measurement, in math and science competence, from kindergarten through the 12th grade, we trail most of the countries of the world.

The implications of this are clearly obvious. Some even say it poses a threat to our national security.

Do you feel that way and what do you intend to do about it?




Question: Do you think the federal government should play a larger role in the schools? And I mean, more federal money?



The election is fast approaching. Check back soon for nonpartisan volunteer opportunities to Get out the Vote in Minnesota.

A picture of quality early childhood

Around Ready 4 K, we spend a lot of time talking about quality early care and education. One of our four principles is Promote Quality (the others are Support Parents, Increase Access, and Produce Results). Sometimes it's difficult for people who do not work with young children to envision what exactly does high quality early education look like. The following video by our friends at Pre-K Now demonstrates a high quality pre-k classroom and how it benefits all the kids who participate. Join us as we work to build the foundation for our future through quality early care and education.

Help set the Record!

Join Ready 4 K Thursday as we help the nationwide effort to “Read for the Record.”

Read for the Record, sponsored by Jumpstart, aims to bring attention to early care and education and increase awareness of the importance of reading.

Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren and Ready 4 K Executive Director Todd Otis will read “Corduroy” to children at New Horizon Academy (401 Robert Street, St. Paul) on Thursday, October 2^nd at 11:30am. “Read for the Record” will be trying to break the Guinness Book of World Records mark for the highest number of people reading the same book in a day.

"Having a regular story time with parents and children provides a fun and effective way to develop language skills in little children,” notes Otis. “Those language skills will lead to the ability to read, the single most important building block for later school success. That is why Ready 4 K supports ‘Read for the Record.’”

If you would like to join in and register your own efforts to "Read for the Record", visit www.readfortherecord.org.