Early childhood interventions such as home visiting and kindergarten preparation programs can mitigate the effects of toxic stress and equip children with the skills and support needed for a successful transition into school. In this article, the author discusses her interaction with a student in her third-grade class who was not successfully prepared for school on multiple levels due to his family's need to focus on basic needs for survival instead of focusing on academic achievement. The author urges us to think more broadly about transition and take a multifaceted and comprehensive approach to school readiness, equipping children with both the academic skills and the basic needs that help children have a successful transition into school. The author, having directed Early Head Start (EHS) and Healthy Families America (HFA), discusses how both programs work with families to build a solid foundation for their children so that they are set up for success in school and life. A section includes findings on Olneyville's home-visiting programs from Brown University's Urban Policy Program.