At AdventHealth for Children’s West Lakes Early Learning Center, we follow two guideposts:
1️⃣ There’s no achievement gap at birth.
2️⃣ The first 2,000 days matter most.
This year, our center celebrated its own first 2,000 days — we’re officially 5 years old! Just like the children we serve, we’re growing, learning, and preparing for the exciting milestone of kindergarten. And none of this would be possible without the dedication of incredible educators, including our very own Ms. Contradina who was honored as Teacher of the Year 🎉.
Last week, we were honored to join the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County (ELCOC) Destination Kindergarten Breakfast, where our shared mission was clear: ensuring every child enters kindergarten not only ready to learn, but ready to thrive.
We know that getting to kindergarten is a journey. Here are three ways parents and caregivers can support their prekindergarten children as they prepare:
📚 Build Early Literacy Skills — Read together daily, help your child recognize their name, and practice key personal details like parents’ names, home address, and phone number.
🧩 Develop Independence — Encourage dressing themselves, cleaning up after activities, following routines, and using the bathroom on their own.
🤝 Strengthen Social Skills — Practice turn-taking, sharing, expressing feelings, and asking for help when needed.
With partners like the Early Learning Coalition, AdventHealth for Children is proud to provide children in our community with high-quality early learning, compassionate health care, and a strong foundation for the future. Here’s to the next 2,000 days — and to building a thriving Orange County where every child gets the strong start they deserve. 💙