#United States #Alameda #Collaborative Classroom #AppleTree Institute #Every Child Ready

Strategic Partnership to Boost Early Childhood Education

On January 14, 2026, the Center for the Collaborative Classroom and the AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation announced an important strategic partnership. Under this new agreement, Collaborative Classroom will be the exclusive provider of AppleTree's acclaimed pre-kindergarten curriculum, titled Every Child Ready (ECR). This step aims to elevate early childhood education, focusing on ensuring that every child is prepared to thrive upon entering kindergarten.

What is Every Child Ready?

Every Child Ready is a comprehensive bilingual curriculum that focuses on a play-based learning model, facilitating two years of educational instruction, assessment, and differentiation for children aged three to five. This innovative program not only includes educator training and family engagement but is also presented within a user-friendly online platform. The importance of play in learning is underscored by its design, fostering an environment where children can learn through engagement and interaction.

Proven Outcomes

The effectiveness of the Every Child Ready curriculum is clear. Recent data reveals that classrooms utilizing this program see 89% of their students deemed kindergarten-ready—significantly higher than the national average of just 47%. Moreover, after engaging in curriculum trainings, an impressive 90% of educators expressed increased confidence in their teaching practices. This curriculum substantiates its efficacy by enhancing instructional quality, demonstrated by the higher performance of educators utilizing Every Child Ready compared to their counterparts in non-ECR classrooms.

Comprehensive and Aligned

Every Child Ready aligns meticulously with various educational standards, including those recommended by Head Start and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Furthermore, it meets the early childhood learning standards set by the education departments across numerous states like California, New York, and Texas. This broad alignment means educators can implement Every Child Ready confidently within their curricula, knowing they adhere to state and national educational requirements.

Expanding Early Childhood Solutions

This partnership represents a significant expansion of Collaborative Classroom’s early childhood offerings. By incorporating Every Child Ready, the organization can provide a holistic suite of early childhood solutions encompassing different methodologies and innovative learning frameworks:

• - SEEDS of Learning™: A professional learning framework that enhances instructional quality for children ages three to five, focusing on training and coaching for educators.
• - Pinecone Path: A literacy-focused curriculum designed for pre-kindergarten students that emphasizes oral language development, executive functioning, and social skills.

This combination of offerings allows Collaborative Classroom to address an extensive range of educational needs, establishing a foundation for lifelong learning that spans from preschool to fifth grade.

A Shared Mission

Both organizations emphasize a commitment to high-quality education. Collaborative Classroom CEO Kelly Stuart expressed, "We’re honored to partner with AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation." This partnership aims to fulfill their combined mission of ensuring children enter kindergarten ready to excel academically.

AppleTree Institute co-CEO Chavaughn Brown echoed this sentiment, stating, "What excites me about integrating Every Child Ready into Collaborative Classroom's offerings is our shared alignment on the necessity for play-based, relationship-driven, and developmentally appropriate teaching practices. Through this collaboration, we aim to broaden access to high-quality curricula, supporting educators in tailoring instructions to meet diverse learners’ needs."

Support from Overdeck Family Foundation

The partnership receives strategic support from the Overdeck Family Foundation, which has funded both organizations and helped guide their collaboration. Senior Portfolio Manager Carly Roberts praised the union between the two educational entities, asserting that it exemplifies a committed approach to bridging early learning and elementary education seamlessly.

Conclusion

The alliance between Collaborative Classroom and AppleTree Institute marks a pivotal moment in early childhood education. With a shared dedication to quality, innovation, and evidence-based instruction, this partnership promises to enhance educational outcomes for countless children, making them ready and equipped to embark on their academic journeys. As this partnership unfolds, the landscape of early childhood education stands to benefit from this compelling and well-researched curriculum that prioritizes the needs of young learners across the nation.