Akron’s early childhood education scene is set for an overhaul with the introduction of Phase One of a Unified Early Learning System. Backed by a coalition of community partners, the new initiative aims to bolster child care offerings across the city, according to the City of Akron news release. In the driver’s seat is Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, who, flanked by more than a dozen organizations, announced the plan aimed at shoring up child care providers and expanding high-quality program access.
The year-long pilot counts on heavy local investment to kick things into motion, with the City of Akron nearly chipping in $300,000 and sizable contributions from other partners like the GAR Foundation and Akron Community Foundation. The overall funding for the pilot hits just shy of $1 million. This financial backing is meant to address a trifecta of issues: improved business support for child care operators, integrated wraparound services for families, and professional development opportunities for early learning educators.
Eight care providers, representing a range of licensed early learning environments, have been roped into the project. Among these are Akron Area YMCA, Akron Public Schools, and Wonder World Child Development Center. The early educational landscape these partners navigate is one where, last year, less than half of the children in Summit County started kindergarten ready for its language and literacy demands. A stark gap that this new initiative seeks to bridge…