The Early Learning Coalition of Clinton County unveiled its new Early Education program Wednesday night with a “Windshield Tour” of three establishments who are taking the initiative in the program.
“We wanted to be able to show people what the money is paying for,” said Community Schools of Frankfort Superintendent Don DeWeese. “We saw it at Meghan’s Daycare, we saw it at Blue Ridge pre-kindergarten and at the YMCA with the Learning Ladder program. We wanted to show what the potential of this grant is.”
The grant came about because the coalition didn’t qualify for an “On My Way Pre-K” grant because of the lack of facilities to be certified as Level 3 as well as for planned curriculum on Level 4 for national accreditation by the Indiana Paths to Quality childcare program. That grant of $315,105.66 was given by the Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning to get the program started.
The first stop on the tour was Meghan’s Daycare, which currently has eight children but a capacity for 12. The next stop was Blue Ridge Elementary where DeWeese showed the school’s pre-K classroom designed for 44 students — 22 at Blue Ridge and 22 at Suncrest. The tour finished at the Clinton County YMCA where the Learning Ladder’s newly-renovated classrooms complete with learning centers was showcased.
“Many families check out the best pre-K, pre-kindergarten but not all families are able to do that,” said DeWeese. “This is part of what we get in our schools when we talk about the achievement gap. Some of the kids come to us better prepared for school than others and this is going to give our kids a leg up.”
Amy Smith of Healthy Communities of Clinton County Coalition said the group got several different agencies like the United Way, Healthy Communities and the Frankfort schools, along with individuals such as former United Way director Carol Price, to come together to realize the importance of early education.
“It (Early Education) is the basis for everything,” said Smith. “You’ve got that little baby and what they learn in those first five years is just amazing. If we can take that and really help them grow, I think it is instrumental in their continuing with education. I think it means everything clear up into high school and college in what they are able to do.”
Kim Rule of Early Learning Indiana said this is happening everywhere.
“You should consider yourselves fortunate that you are able to do this,” said Rule. “We awarded Clinton County the highest amount of money because they have a progressive view of what they want to do.”
About 20 individuals took part in the tour.