Bauder Education Center, Head Start Program Open At Long Reach

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Bauder Education Center, an early education program of the Community Action Council of Howard County, has opened at Long Reach Village Center. The new location has approximately 5,332 square feet, allowing Head Start to increase its capacity from 38 to 79 children. Head Start provides free preschool to eligible 3 to 5-year-old children.

“Head Start provides critical early childhood education and enrichment for our young residents,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “This larger space at Long Reach Village Center – a central hub for the community – will allow for more classroom capacity and reduce challenging transit needs for some of our residents. For so many of our families who are already struggling, providing free pre-k is a huge weight lifted and sets a strong foundation for our children. This amazing center would not be possible without the power of our community.”

The Head Start program serves 362 Howard County children at four early education centers, including the new space at the Long Reach Village Center. The center also will serve as a family support center that provides wrap-around services that include housing, energy and food assistance while their children are receiving a high quality education that prepares them for kindergarten.

“As an educator and father of three, including two little ones, I am thrilled for the grand opening of the Bauder Education Center,” Dr. Opel Jones, Howard County Council vice chair, said. “This necessary facility nestled in Long Reach Village Center will be home to Head Start and pre-k—providing free preschool to eligible 3 to 5-year-old children. Our community’s commitment to our children’s budding educational foundation is imperative to their success."

“This is more than an education center, it is a resource and connection for families in Howard County,” said Dr. Lillian Bauder, Community Action Council Board Member. “I am so excited for CAC to even further strengthen this community by way of The Bauder Education Center.”

“This center is a shining example of the priorities and actions of the Howard County community,” Frank Eastham of Bridgeway Community Church added. “Now I’m a graduate of one of the first head start programs of this nation, and I was a recipient of the very services that this center provides. This center provides a place for children and their families to receive a lifetime of increasing opportunities. At Bridgeway Community Church we welcome this opportunity to be a part of this initiative.”

For more information about Head Start or to enroll in the 2021-2022 school year, click here.