In Cleveland, more children are attending high-quality preschools than ever before.
This was one of the goals PRE4CLE set for itself when it was founded a decade ago this year.
The Cleveland PRE4CLE program aims to bring more children into affordable, high-quality preschools
RELATED: The Cleveland PRE4CLE program aims to bring more children into affordable, high-quality preschools
Some of the first students to benefit from the program are now in middle and high school. News 5 anchor Katie Ussin follows the successes and challenges of preparing one of our most valuable populations for the future.
Wonder, possibility and dreams are in the books at the Shaker Heights Library and in the young minds of those who read the stories while writing their own, like 5-year-old Avanni Baskin.
“What makes me happy is my family,” said Avanni. “And school and kindergarten.”
Avanni proudly showed off her reading skills by flipping through a book about kindergarten and all sorts of other things, which is why she is so excited about the start of the next school year.
Kindergarten is the next chapter in Avanni’s story and her mother Quiana says she is ready.
“She makes me excited because she talks about it all the time,” Quiana Baskin said.
Avanni is just like her big sister.
Katie met Quiana and her oldest daughter Amiyah in 2017. PRE4CLE’s goal is to get more children into preschool.
At the time, Amiyah was five and starting kindergarten, and Quiana told Katie about an organization called PRE4CLE that helped her choose the right preschool.
“Time goes by way too fast,” Quiana said, adding that it has been seven years since she and Katie last met.
Amiyah is now 12 and is starting 7th grade.
Katie reached out to the family as she celebrates the 10-year anniversary of PRE4CLE, a public-private partnership to improve the availability of quality preschool in Cleveland.
“If they can spend those three and four years in a high-quality learning environment, we are setting them up for success for the rest of their lives,” says Katie Kelly, executive director of PRE4CLE.
Kelly says they have experienced tremendous growth over the last decade:
- 71 high-quality preschools in 2014 compared to 238 today.
- 74% of all preschool children enrolled in Cleveland are currently enrolled in a high-quality program.
- They perform about 20% better when it comes to kindergarten readiness.
“We know these programs make a huge difference,” Kelly said. “We hear that from the kindergarten teachers in these classes who say, ‘I can see who has gone to preschool. They’re ready. They’re excited to be in these classes and they’re ready to learn.'”
But the work is not done yet.
Further progress is needed to send more children to high-quality preschools, expand the early childhood education workforce, and improve affordability.
“That’s what makes the village; when we all pull together and help and support,” says LuAnne Peters, executive director of the Early Childhood Learning Center at the Lexington Bell Community Center.
Grants from PRE4CLE helped improve facilities at the Lexington Bell Early Learning Center.
“How can we change our child’s development if we don’t start now,” asked Peters.
Studies show that children’s performance on kindergarten readiness tests and third-grade reading tests is largely predictable.
Seven years ago, Quiana said of Amiyah, “I just hope that she grows up to be the beautiful young lady that I already see, and I just hope that continues.”
She said that this is definitely the case today.
“She’s spectacular,” Quiana smiled.
Although Amiyah now prefers TikTok to singing ABCs while she is in middle school, she still loves learning.
“My favorite subject is science,” said Amiyah.
Quiana says preschool classes were critical to preparing her two daughters for success.
“These are really the building blocks you need,” she said.
Miracles, possibilities and dreams grow on a strong foundation.
PRE4CLE’s Preschool Palooza is happening on Friday, August 9th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland.
There are games and giveaways and they will help you find the right, quality preschool for your child.
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