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Free Summer Learning
Opportunity 

Children can lose up to 2 months of reading and math skills over the summer.

-National Summer Learning Association, 2023

Summer learning can change that.

Waterford offers research-backed summer programs that build kindergarten readiness and prevent summer slide — before fall even begins.

Get Summer Ready

Hear how Acelero Learning uses Waterford Upstart to meet families where they are, giving parents the tools and confidence to support learning at home and make early education accessible.

10 weeks can change a child's whole summer.
And that summer can change how they start the school year.

What Is Upstart?

Waterford Upstart is an interactive learning program that helps children in PreK-2nd grade build strong skills in reading, math, and science. With activities that adapt to your child’s skill level, children learn at just the right pace, with fun songs, stories, and games that make learning exciting.

Families and child care providers receive full support, including coaching, a library of resources in English and Spanish, and translation services. 

How the Summer Learning Program Works for Communities and Families

Waterford’s Upstart Summer Learning Program helps communities connect families to early learning at home. Thanks to funding from the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant through the U.S. Department of Education, communities can expand access to early learning opportunities for families.

Program Overview

  • Available in Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina,
    New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Texas.
  • Supports children entering kindergarten or first grade.
  • Open to families and providers who are not currently enrolled 
    in a Waterford program.

Watch the full webinar here 
For a deeper look at the program requirements, timeline, and how communities can get involved.

Designed to support children in rural communities, families with household incomes below 185%
of the federal poverty level, multilingual learners, and children from diverse backgrounds.

For Community Organizations

Rural Communities | Summer 2026

Let families know this opportunity is available. Help connect families and providers to this grant-funded opportunity. No program management required, just help spread the word.

Participation includes:

  • Share with families in your network
  • Post flyers or share on social media
  • Include in newsletters or parent communications
  • Partner with eligible child care providers
Get the Outreach Toolkit

For Child Care Providers

Rising Kindergarteners & 1st Graders | 10 Weeks | Summer 2026

Licensed early learning providers can implement a structured summer learning model or offer families an at-home option. Implementation support and coaching provided.

Participation includes:

  • ~20 min/day, 5 days/week — designed to fit summer routines
  • Personalized lessons in reading, math, and science through Waterford software.
  • Family resources to extend learning at home
  • Orientation, required assessments, and dashboards to monitor progress
  • Ongoing support from Waterford
Express Interest in the Program

What can community organizations and providers do right now to support families this summer?

Hear what helps summer learning efforts make the biggest impact and how organizations and providers can help connect families to opportunities that support early learning at home.

Bring This Opportunity to Families in Your Community

Community organizations and providers play a meaningful role in helping families learn about opportunities that support early learning. If you serve rural and/or high-need communities and want to help spread the word, you can help connect families with young children to this free summer learning program.

Want to start sharing right away?

Visit our partner outreach page to access information and ready-to-use flyers, social posts, and messaging to help you share this opportunity with families in your community.

EIR3_Outreach_Toolkit_Flyer 
 

 

Interested in helping connect families with Waterford programs?