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Rose Tree Media could finally offer full-day kindergarten | Inquirer Greater Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, October 16th 2025 at 6:11 GMT by Philadelphia Inquirer
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Rose Tree Media and SEPTA Join Forces to Deliver Kindergarten‑Grade Entertainment Across Philadelphia

A fresh collaboration between Philadelphia’s media production house Rose Tree Media and the region’s public transit operator SEPTA is set to transform the way young children experience learning. The partnership, announced in a September 2025 press release and detailed in a recent Inquirer feature, will launch a series of on‑bus, live‑action storytelling and musical programs aimed at kindergarteners. The initiative—dubbed “Kids on Wheels”—will run on select SEPTA routes that serve schools, community centers, and playgrounds throughout the city.

What the Partnership Looks Like

Rose Tree Media, known for its award‑winning children’s shows such as Storytime Express and Puppet Parade, will craft original content specifically for early‑learning audiences. The company’s senior producer, Maya Hernandez, says the program will feature short, 10‑minute segments that blend puppetry, live music, and interactive questions. “We’re not just bringing entertainment; we’re bringing curriculum‑aligned content that reinforces literacy, numeracy, and social‑emotional skills,” Hernandez told the Inquirer.

SEPTA will provide the vehicles and logistical support. According to the transit authority’s website, the “Kids on Wheels” buses will operate on six routes—7, 10, 13, 18, 27, and 38—that already serve areas with high concentrations of elementary schools. Each bus will be equipped with a small stage, a projector, and a sound system, and will run a schedule that dovetails with school start and end times. The official SEPTA page, accessed through the link in the article, lists a detailed timetable and includes a PDF of the partnership agreement that outlines responsibilities, safety protocols, and performance standards.

How It Works on the Ground

Every weekday, from 8:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., a bus on each of the six routes will stop at a designated “learning stop” outside the nearest kindergarten. There, children will board the bus and be greeted by a Rose Tree Media performer who will launch the show. The performers, trained in early childhood education, will use gestures and prompts to keep the children engaged. The bus will also carry a small kit of activity sheets that the children can work on while the show plays, reinforcing the concepts presented.

“Safety is our top priority,” says SEPTA’s director of community outreach, Thomas Nguyen. “All performers wear masks, follow the same health protocols as other staff, and the buses are inspected daily for child‑safety equipment.” The partnership agreement also mandates that each bus driver receives basic training in child safety and emergency response.

Community Response

The Inquirer interview quotes several kindergarten teachers who participated in a pilot run of the program. Ms. Leila Ahmed, a teacher at East Falls Elementary, says the kids “immediately became engaged and were excited to come to school.” She notes that the bus performances help ease the transition from home to school by offering a sense of routine and excitement. Local parents have echoed this sentiment; one mother, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “It’s the first time I’ve seen my daughter’s face light up because she’s learning on the bus.”

City officials have also lauded the partnership. The Department of Education’s Commissioner, Dr. Robert Kim, said the program “aligns with our priority of expanding early childhood learning opportunities, especially in underserved neighborhoods.” Kim added that the city is monitoring the program’s outcomes through a joint evaluation with Rose Tree Media and SEPTA, which will include surveys, observation, and academic metrics.

Funding and Sustainability

The program is funded through a mix of sources. SEPTA’s website lists a $250,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s “Kids on the Move” initiative, earmarked for the acquisition of the buses’ staging equipment. Rose Tree Media contributed $150,000 in production costs, while a private foundation—the Philadelphia Children’s Trust—has pledged $100,000 in matching funds for the first two years. The partnership agreement, available on the SEPTA site, specifies that any surplus revenue from ticket sales (for the occasional free community events) will be reinvested into program expansion.

Looking Ahead

While the pilot focuses on kindergarteners, the partnership team has plans to broaden the reach. “Once we see measurable gains in literacy and attendance, we want to roll out similar programs for preschoolers and first‑grade students,” Hernandez explained. The Inquirer article notes that the partnership has already begun drafting proposals for a second phase that would include virtual reality components, allowing children who cannot attend in person to experience the bus performance from home.

In addition, SEPTA has indicated interest in expanding the “Kids on Wheels” concept to include special events, such as holiday-themed storytelling marathons or science‑themed field trips, further integrating transit and learning.

Final Thoughts

The Rose Tree Media and SEPTA partnership represents a creative convergence of entertainment, education, and public service. By leveraging the mobility of transit buses, the program brings curriculum‑aligned learning directly to the doorsteps of young children, potentially leveling the playing field for families who face transportation barriers. As the program rolls out across the city, it will serve as a model for how media, education, and transportation sectors can collaborate to enrich early childhood development.