Summer 2026 Grow Together with MNPS Newsletter

Jun 10 2026

Grow Together with MNPS

Grow Together with MNPS is a birth to three initiative that provides information, strategies, and tips for parents/caregivers to provide the ultimate early development experience for each child.

We hope you enjoy the Grow Together with MNPS Summer newsletter! Click here to visit the Grow Together with MNPS website.

Fun, Sun, and Safety: Tips for a Great Summer

Summertime is full of fun, adventure, and cherished moments for many families. No matter how your family spends the season, here are five simple safety tips to help keep your kids safe at home, at play, and on the go.

Summer Safety Tips by Safe Kids Worldwide:

Swimming Safety: Nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than a dip in the pool or a trip to a lake or beach. While you are there, use a Water Watcher Card to designate a responsible adult to keep an eye on kids in or around water, without being distracted. Learn more Water Safety Tips.
Summer Travel: Before piling in the car for that long road trip (or even a short one), double check to make sure your child’s car seat is installed correctly. Learn more Car Seat Safety Tips.
Bike Safety: Riding bikes is a great way to exercise and explore the neighborhood. It’s a great time to know all safety tips and guidelines for all ages and stages for your child. For babies/toddlers, please click here for bike safety tips. For children that ride bikes, keep your kids protected by teaching them to always wear a properly fitted bike helmet. It’s the best way to prevent a serious head injury. Learn more Bike Safety Tips.
Hot Cars: Car-related heatstroke prevention is something to remember year-round, but it’s extra important when the weather heats up. Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children. Learn more Heatstroke Prevention Tips.
Grilling Safety: For all the grill masters out there, position the grill away from foot traffic and play areas and create a three-foot "kid-free zone" around the grill to prevent burns. Learn More Burn Prevention Tips.

Please talk about these tips with your family and ask friends and other family members to do the same. We hope your family has a fun and safe summer!

Family Resources

United Way 211 of Greater Nashville: A Lifeline for Community Support

United Way 211 is a free, confidential service that connects individuals and families with essential community resources. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 211 serves as a one-stop helpline for people seeking assistance with basic needs and support services.

For more tips and information on child safety, visit https://www.safekids.org.

By dialing 211, texting, or visiting an online portal, callers are connected with trained specialists who listen, assess their needs, and provide referrals to local programs. These may include help with housing, food, utility bills, healthcare, mental health services, childcare, employment support, and more.

Families can Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 to get started. For more information visit: https://www.unitedwaygreaternashville.org/211-helpline

ParentPowered for Families: Free Tips & Information to Support Your Baby

Metro Nashville Public Schools is providing ParentPowered to Davidson County families with children 0-3 years old to help support their child’s development. ParentPowered is research-based text messaging program* for families. Each week, families will receive free weekly fun facts and tips on ways to help your child learn and grow. Families will also receive information on local community resources. The texts are available in multiple languages.

Register Now: Text MNPS to 70138

*While there is absolutely no cost for enrolling in ParentPowered, data & message rates may apply.

Tennessee Early Intervention Services (TEIS)

Tennessee Early Intervention Services (TEIS) provides services to infants and young children with disabilities or other developmental delays (ages birth - 2 years, 11 months). For more information, visit the TEIS website.

Sign-Up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Davidson County Families with children ages 0-5 can receive free books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Register your child today! FREE to children ages 0-5 through funding shared by Dolly Parton and their incredible local community partners, which include United Way of Greater Nashville and Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation.

To register for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, visit: https://bit.ly/2BwMs8D.

Community Events

Fatherhood Festival and NFL Alumni Training Camp for Dads

If you’re a dad, father figure, or family member in Nashville, on Saturday, June 20 (12pm – 5pm) join the 2026 Fatherhood Festival: An NFL Alumni Training Camp for Dads. The event will be held at the Tennessee State University – Indoor Practice Facility (1251 Schrader Lane, Nashville).

This family-friendly day will include music, food, games, NFL Alumni giveaways & photos, free men’s health testing, and tips for parenting, co-parenting, communication, health, and wellbeing. Let’s build your fatherhood playbook together. Register here: https://bit.ly/4cycQkH

World’s Largest Swimming Lesson

The Gordon Jewish Community Center is offering the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (a free regional community event) for families on Thursday, June 25 from 9am – 12pm at the Gordon JCC Outdoor Pool. The event is an interactive event for children/families focused on water safety. For more information visit: https://www.nashvillejcc.org.

Firefly’s Community Resource Fair for New and Expecting Moms

Firefly is hosting a Community Resource Fair for New and Expecting Moms at Lentz Public Health Center (2500 Charlotte Avenue) on July 10, 2026, from 10 am – 12 pm. The event will feature free giveaways and families can connect with local resources to help you navigate parenthood! Families will need to register for the event (please see the flier).

If you have questions, please contact: Annie Lawrence at annie.d.lawrence@vumc.org or 629-281-3547.

Realistically Fed Free Classes

Through the Nashville Public Libraries Be Well Partnership, Realistically Fed is offering helpful, free resources to all parents in the Nashville community this Summer. All classes are free to the public and registration is appreciated since some of the class sizes are limited.

Summer classes include New Mom Support Group, Infant Massage Workshops, Tiny Movers Playgroup, Tummy Time Class, Infant CPR and Choking and more. Visit their website to register.

Nashville Public Library Story Times

Many Nashville Public Library branches have baby, toddler and preschool story times. Some branches even have weekly programming during the week or on weekends. Visit the NPL website for more information, including story time information, activity calendars and book recommendations based on your child's age.

Metro Nashville Public Schools: Kindergarten Registration & Pre-K Information

Get Ready for the 2026-27 School Year!

It's an exciting time for many families as they start getting ready for prekindergarten (Pre-K) and kindergarten. Below are a few updates to help families get ready for school.

2026-27 MNPS PRE-K APPLICATION: Application is open!

Families can begin to apply online for MNPS Pre-K for the 2026-27 school year. Families will need a student ID number to apply online. To apply for Pre-K, children must be 4 years old on or before August 15, 2026. Some classrooms accept 3-year-olds with birthdays on or before August 15, 2026. For more information, families can visit the MNPS Early Learning website

2026-27 MNPS KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Registration is open!

Families can register online for kindergarten. Families can visit the MNPS Online Registration Portal to register for kindergarten. To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be 5 years old on or before August 15, 2026. For information on registration documents needed, please visit the MNPS Early Learning website. If families need assistance, they can contact the Family Information Center at 615-259-INFO (4636) or FamilyInfo@mnps.org.

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Birth
Early Learning
Pre-K
Toddlers