A decade ago, LeAaron Henderson dreamed of going back to school to become a nurse. There was only one problem. Her youngest son was too young for kindergarten and she didn’t want to depend on family or a babysitter for daily care.
She wanted a learning environment where her children would feel welcomed and challenged academically.
When she found the Early Learning Center at YWCA York, she knew it was the right place for her son. Not only would he receive preparation for kindergarten but LeAaron could afford its cost through government-subsidized programs.
She returned to school, became a Licensed Practical Nurse, and was able to support her family while knowing her son was in good hands.
Education that supports generations
Now a grandmother, LeAaron has returned to the Early Learning Center for her grandson Ky’Ael’s education and care. Her granddaughter and great niece also went through the Center. Programs such as Child Care Works and Pre-K Counts, managed by Community Connections for Children, help make high-quality early learning and educational solutions affordable for low-income families.
“It’s like a home for our kids while we’re at work,” she says. “It’s something that’s close to my heart because I know my kids are taken care of when they come here.”
LeAaron, a nurse who specializes in geriatrics, has depended on the center’s flexible early and late pickup hours. When her children were enrolled, that allowed her to attend nursing school without missing a single day. It enabled her to study between classes, attend clinicals, and ultimately build a career caring for others.
Choosing between groceries and education
LeAaron saw the emotional impact when the recent extended federal government shutdown interrupted pre-K funding and disrupted programs. The YWCA was forced to charge families the full cost of care, which many families were unable to afford. This resulted in families having to pull their children from the program.
The sudden halt in routine and structure affected LeAaron’s grandson almost immediately. She believes that children need consistency to thrive, and when it disappears, the consequences have a rapid and negative impact.
LeAaron says that early childhood education is infrastructure, and affordability matters. She believes that families shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table, keeping the electricity on, or paying for the education and care that allows families to work, attend school, and stay stable.
An educator’s take on early learning
Gwyneth Yeiser is an elementary school principal and mom of 3-year-old twins who attend Little Bug Learning in York. She understands from an educator’s perspective what early learning can do for a child’s long-term success.
Both of Gwyneth’s girls have medical needs and require specialized care. Before enrolling them in an early childhood program, she had the same concerns that many working families have: Would they be safe? Would their needs be met? Would they be prepared for kindergarten?
Now, she drops them off without anxiety because she knows they are in good hands. Little Bug’s thorough communication allows her to share updates with pediatricians and feel confident that her daughters are being cared for when she is at work.
Purposeful preparation
For Gwyneth, the educational component of her daughters’ care is as important as the physical portion. As an educator, she notices the difference between children who enter kindergarten with early learning experience and those who do not. She describes the instruction at Little Bug as structured, intentional, and developmentally appropriate.
“I can have that peace of mind that they’re still getting what I wish I could give them without me having to split my role and deviate from the most important role of being mom,” she says.
At three, her daughters are learning skills through intentional interactions in a nurturing environment that create a solid foundation for future academic success. While it may appear to be ‘just play’ on the surface, it’s purposeful preparation for the road ahead.
Peace of mind for a mom of twins
Gwyneth recognizes how fortunate her family is to be able to afford excellent care. Like LeAaron, she believes that access to high-quality early learning should not depend on income. This type of early investment, she says, prevents greater academic, social, and financial costs later.
“A child’s future success in life should not be dependent upon whether or not mom and dad can afford a nice learning center or facility,” she says. “Every child deserves quality learning and people who care about them.”
Though their stories differ, Gwyneth and LeAaron believe that quality early childhood education does far more than provide early literacy skills.
It creates peace of mind.
It allows parents and grandparents to remain in the workforce.
It supports educators and families across York County.
It furnishes children with structure and a solid educational foundation during their most formative years.
Without it, LeAaron and Gwyneth acknowledge, their situations and those of many others would have been much more difficult, and in some cases, impossible.
Every Child Has Opportunities is an early childhood education initiative in York County, Pennsylvania, led by Community Connections for Children and York County Economic Alliance. Funding partners include WellSpan Health, the J. William Warehime Foundation, the Powder Mill Foundation, United Way of York County, the Kinsley Foundation, and the York County Community Foundation.
YWCA York and Little Bug Learning have received direct investment and support through the ECHO initiative. For more information on ECHO’s grant programs, visit www.echoyork.org/grants-and-programs.