We have operated an early childhood education preschool program since 2006 that serves as a feeder school to our Miami Children's Museum Charter School. This experience leads us to believe that children's museums can contribute to Education Reform through formal licensed and accredited early learning, elementary education and high-quality afterschool programs that provide a unique approach to school and develo[ment.
This current project seeks to measure the success of formal museum preschool education and school readiness among children completing preschool in a museum compared to traditional preschool settings using mixed methodology.
The data collected will help to ascertain and quantify the benefits of a museum-based preschool. We will develop an evaluation tool that will serve as a model for other institutions to include a template business plan guide, toolkit, a resource guide, and a series of conferences to help support other institutions in understanding how to incorporate formal education programs.
Our mission in research is to grow and evolve based on educational trends, curriculum revisions, best practices, community needs and years of operational experience. We will build alliances with families, educators, and community organizations to meet all children's developmental needs in the community on a national level.
