Initial Phase of Early Start Columbus to Provide Quality Pre-K to at Least 350 Kids
For Immediate Release
June 9, 2014
For More Information:
Matt Smydo, Education Department, 645-1689
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
Dan Williamson, Mayor’s
office, 645-5300
Mayor Michael B. Coleman today initiated the first phase of Early Start Columbus, providing early childhood education in quality pre-kindergarten centers throughout the city. In addition, Columbus City Schools is partnering with the City of Columbus by identifying nine elementary schools that also can host Early Start programs. The 2014 budget allocates $5 million for pre-K expansion.
“We cannot allow our children to fall behind before their lives get started,” Mayor Coleman said. “Early childhood education is the best investment we can make as a community. When our kids enter kindergarten prepared to learn, they are more likely to graduate and more likely to succeed.”
The city is dedicating $3.4 million in the first phase of Early Start Columbus. In this initial round, nine quality providers will offer early childhood education to between 350 and 400 children. Providers receiving Early Start funding are:
- Central Community House, 1150 East Main Street
- Child Development Council of Franklin County at
999 Crupper Avenue
G. Tyree Learning Center, 1077 Lexington Avenue
505 South Ohio Avenue
St. Agnes, 2350 West Mound Street
- Columbus Early Learning Center, 240 North Champion Avenue
- Gladden Community House, 183 Hawkes Avenue
- Heavenly Kids, 404 East Mound Street
- Millbrook Nursery and Kindergarten, 1405 Moler Road
- Southside Learning & Development Center, 255 Reeb Avenue
- Starting Point, 2533 Lockbourne Road
- YMCA at
Early Learning Center, 2879 Johnstown Road
Cherry Creek, 600 Fox Ridge Street
Hilltop, 1952 West Broad Street
Those interested in enrolling a 4-year-old in Early Start Columbus should contact Action for Children at 224-0222 or through its website, www.actionforchildren.org.
“The first few years of life have a direct and profound impact on a child’s ability to learn both in and out of the classroom,” said Councilmember Michelle M. Mills, chair of the Education Committee. “As a community, we must do everything we can to ensure that our children have the best possible foundation for learning.”
According to the Ohio Department of Education, 85 percent of a child’s brain development takes place by the age of 5, and young children exposed of high-quality education settings exhibit better language and mathematics skills, better social skills and better relationships with peers in their classroom. Today’s announcement marked the first step toward the city’s ultimate goal of universal access to quality pre-K education for 4-year-olds. Reaching that goal will require partnership with the business, faith and education communities as well as the state and federal government.