The Richard A. Henson Family YMCA has received a $15,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to launch the Y Early Learning Program in Salisbury, a program designed to help close the achievement gap and improve school readiness in low-income preschoolers who are not enrolled in facility-based childcare.
The grant from the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., will allow the Richard A. Henson Family YMCA to offer the Early Learning Program at Prince Street Elementary free to the community every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11 a.m. September through May. The program focuses on improving educational readiness, engagement and outcomes for local children, in partnership with schools and families. “The Early Learning Program serves a critical community need – helping more children arrive at kindergarten with essential skills and ready to learn,” said Jennifer Joseph, PNC Bank market executive on the Eastern Shore. “PNC’s support of early childhood education is a strategic investment designed to help broaden the opportunities for social and economic mobility among at-risk children in our region.” The Early Learning Programprovides family, friends and caregivers a research-based community program that gives young children high-quality physical, emotional and cognitive experiences. During each session, staff lead opening circle time and then children are free to explore 13 learning centers with puzzles, books, dress up, large and small motor skills development and a listening station. Y staff explain to caregivers how children learn through play and encourage them to engage with the children, ask questions and suggest ideas for play. Caregivers are ultimately equipped with the confidence, tools and support they need to be their child’s first teacher, ensuring they start kindergarten ready to learn. “The goal is to help children develop the skills they’ll need for a good start at school – knowing their letters and numbers – but also will teach how to sit in a group, answer questions and use their imagination. The Y is excited to bring this program to our community. We’re intentionally starting very early because we believe it’s more cost-effective than remediation when a child has been behind for years,” said Deanna Harrell Executive Director of the Richard A. Henson Family YMCA.
