Ribbon is Cut on New Early Learning Center

A crowd of nearly 100 gathered Thursday afternoon for the long-awaited ribbon cutting for the new Montgomery County Early Learning Center. In attendance were representatives from the 16 partners, along with many others who have supported and participated in the project in countless ways.

This transformational community project, set to open March 17, will provide 124 high-quality childcare seats for infants through age 5.

Located at 110 W. South Boulevard, the facility was constructed to meet and exceed state licensing requirements.  The Center is equipped to meet Paths to Quality Level 4, as well as meet accreditation standards for the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

In her address, Montgomery County Community Foundation CEO, Kelly Taylor, commended investors. “The impact of your contribution extends far beyond the walls of this building,” she told the crowd. “By investing in early childhood education, you are investing in the future of our entire community. You are ensuring that our youngest generation has access to the best possible start in life, which will benefit not just the children, but all of us, for years to come.”

KinderCare will operate the Early Learning Center, providing high-quality education to children in a safe and reliable environment with qualified staff. With more than 55 years of experience in early childhood care and education, KinderCare utilizes research-based curriculum designed for young children and boasts the highest number of nationally accredited early learning centers among private providers in the country.

“We know child care is an essential benefit for working families, and we also know it can be challenging for families in communities outside of major cities to find access to care,” said Dan Figurski, President of KinderCare for Employers and Champions. “The level of partnership between private industry, civic organizations, and local government makes the Montgomery County Early Learning Center truly unique. When this center opens in a few short days, 124 children will have access to high-quality early childhood education, which will prepare them for a lifetime of learning while also offering their families much needed support during their early years.”

The initial groundwork for the Center began in 2019, when a childcare task force comprised of individuals representing local government, employers, providers, parents, schools and nonprofit organizations was formed to address the lack of high-quality childcare in the community. While current childcare educators are committed to providing high-quality education and support, the fact remains that more high-quality seats are needed.  Currently, less than 40 percent of local children under the age of 5 have access to high-quality care.  This affects employers, employees, families, and the community as a whole.

The Community Foundation identified childcare as a top strategic initiative and a priority in grantmaking.  As the Foundation  began to look for opportunities to expand childcare seats, it wanted to focus on innovative and creative solutions.  Now after more than two years of discussions and planning, this transformational project has become a reality.

The $5 million investment was made possible through a unique partnership of businesses, government and philanthropy working together to create long-term, sustainable solutions to meet the critical need for additional high-quality childcare.

The Center is enrolling children ages infant through preschool. For more information call the Center at (765) 323-2223.