The earliest years of school are foundation to the development of children. It is a misconception that attendance only matters and affects children in older grades. While preschool may not seem as rigorous as k-12 education, the early education of preschool supports the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth and development of a children. Mosaic Early Learning provides high-quality year-round preschool and early learning services to families in in Camden and Burlington Counties. As a Head Start provider, Mosaic Early Learning adheres to a high standard of readiness goals with the aim of setting children up with a strong foundation for their educational journey. At Mosaic, “the expectations of children’s status and progress across domains of language and literacy development, cognition and general knowledge, approaches to learning, physical health and well-being and motor development, and social and emotional development that will improve readiness for kindergarten goals.”

                To meet the educational goals, it is important for every child to attend school on a consistent basic. While some might not see absence at the pre-school level as impactful as older grades, the effects of absenteeism are seen in the short and long term. Missing 10% of school (1 to 2 days every few weeks) can make it harder for children to meet developmentally appropriate reading and math skills, build relationships, and maintain good habits and routines. Chronic absenteeism throughout a child’s academic life can disengage children from the importance of learning and connection with peers and educators. It is understood that absence stems from a multitude of environmental factors often not in the control of the child, especially for the youngest of students. 

                According to the organization Attendance Works, the main root causes of absence are barriers, aversion, disengagement, and overall misconceptions. Barriers include a range of environmental issues, including transportation, health, housing, trauma, violence, and general lack of needed services. At Mosaic Early Learning, families and children are in constant contact with a family services advocate to address holistic needs and to reduce barriers that affect children and their environment. For some children, an aversion or disengagement to school can form if they begin to struggle academically and socially. Sometimes an undiagnosed or identified learning difficulty or disability can affect a child’s engagement. It can also manifest when children don’t feel sufficiently challenged, face unfair disciplinary practices, or struggle with anxiety. Early intervention is crucial. Without early intervention, these causes of absence follow a child throughout their education journey. 

The education of child takes a village, and the prevention of chronic absence is a team effort. It is important for parents to work with their child’s preschool program to address the root causes of absenteeism that impact them and their children and to work together to develop a plan for long term success. Parents and programs should remain in contact to discuss what works, to continue to assess, and if necessary, reassess what works best to maintain consistent attendance.

Schedule a call at 856.964.2100 to contact a family services advocate to learn how Mosaic Early Learning can support your child's development across various areas, as well as the numerous ways our early learning community can assist your whole family. 

If you’d like to learn more about Mosaic Early Learning and view the complete list of eligibility requirements to begin the enrollment process, please visit our website:

Mosaic Early Learning Enrollment

https://www.ed.gov/teaching-and-administration/supporting-students/chronic-absenteeism

https://www.attendanceworks.org/

https://www.nj.gov/education/earlychildhood/preschool/docs/Attendance.pdf

https://headstart.gov/health-services-management/article/health-services-promote-attendance