We’re creating brighter futures for Wake County children.
Early childhood environments and experiences can impact health and well-being throughout life. Additionally, high-quality early
childhood programs
aimed at low-income
families have been
shown to improve
health outcomes,
health behaviors,
and social outcomes
into adulthood.
The Kaleidoscope Project is dedicated to enhancing and improving the places where Wake County children spend their time.
Showcase Sites
So far, we have made investments in improvements to these sites to illustrate our Best Practices. Check out the changes. Additional Showcase sites are in progress, and we are also supporting smaller scale Spotlight projects. Stay tuned for updates.
Beginning & Beyond Child Development Center
Families Together, a PLM Organization
The Salvation Army Family Emergency Shelter
Best Practices
To develop best practices for children’s spaces in Wake County, our community looked at similar projects around the country and gathered input from people throughout our own region. The goal was to find the common threads within successful children’s spaces, so we can apply them in all the places young children spend their time in Wake County.
To that end, we’ve zeroed in on 5 areas that are key to success. When we pay attention to these things, we can create spaces where children thrive — and help them build the foundation for future success in whatever they choose to do. Each of these 5 areas listed below includes many strategies for policy, practice, physical space, and people.
Build Positive Relationships
Staff and adults who are caring and responsive role models, and clear and open communicators, help children create warm and trusting relationships.
Considerations for Healthy Growth and Development
developing healthy, warm, trusting relationships with caregivers
communication
self-regulation
promoting positive peer relationships
exploring/experimenting
Use Nature to Nurture
The great outdoors can play a big role in children’s healthy development — inspiring curiosity, encouraging creativity, spreading joy and relieving stress.
Considerations for Healthy Growth and Development
exploring and experimenting
self-regulation
self-esteem
Create Diverse Spaces and Activities
Varied, engaging spaces invite children to experience lots of activities of different kinds, so they can explore and master new skills.
Considerations for Healthy Growth and Development
exploring and experimenting
self-regulation
family and peer relationships
communication
self-esteem
coping
mastery and challenge
appropriate risk taking
Foster Safety and Support
Comfortable, secure spaces make children feel at ease trying new things, accepting fun challenges and focusing on what’s important: being a kid.
Considerations for Healthy Growth and Development
exploring and experimenting
self-regulation
self-esteem
coping
mastery and challenge
positive peer and caregiver relationships
Enhance Accessibility and Inclusion
Welcoming, convenient spaces allow children of all abilities, cultures and backgrounds to feel at home and feel like a valued part of our community.
Considerations for Healthy Growth and Development
exploring and experimenting
self-regulation
challenge
Self-Assessment Questionnaire
This tool helps a team assess the current characteristics of a space across multiple areas of practice, identifying the strengths of a space and pinpointing areas for growth or improvement.This Self-Assessment assists in identifying and prioritizing opportunities for improvement within a space.
This tool should be used as a follow-up to the Self-Assessment Questionnaire. This Tool helps a team to determine key goals, tasks and resources needed to achieve success in supporting or improving a space’sarea of practice.
Stakeholder Mapping Template and Facilitator Guide
This tool helps to identify key stakeholders and develop key messages to support project implementation and improvement.
Quality Improvement Metrics
This support document provides suggested measurements of success to help you assess how enhancements are helping your space achieve your goals.
