Early Childhood Education a Mission for Lemay Non-Profit

The faculty and staff at the Lemay Child and Family Center believe that early childhood education is something that all families deserve access to. The nonprofit education center provides affordable prekindergarten classes amd programs to more than 100 children.

"Our core purpose is making sure that every child, regardless of what their family background is, financial situation is, development level, that every child has access to high-quality early childhood education," Executive Director Elaine Powers said.

A United Way organization, the center also receives funds from grants and other charitable sources. For families that don’t qualify for state assistance to help subsidize the costs, the center can provide scholarships.

“Ninety percent qualify for some level of assistance,” Powers said.

It's the kind of education, Powers said, that research is increasingly showing is important to children's future success. It addresses one of education's most enduring challenges by helping bridge gaps that may form among kids from differing socioeconomic backgrounds and putting them on a level playing field when they enter elementary school.

"If you invest money in kids when they are young, the economic payoff for that is you can save anywhere from $7 to $12 for $1 you spend," Powers said.

The Lemay Child and Family Center has a long history in the area. It was founded in the mid-1970s after a group of concerned citizens identified a need for affordable early childhood services in the Lemay community. It has grown since then, but the mission has remained the same.

"Our infant toddler program just opened three years ago. Now, we have children turning 3 who were newborns when we first opened up the infant toddler rooms," Powers said.

Watching children grow and develop over time is what Powers said motivates the organization's employees.

"I don't think there is much that can compare to having the people you are helping hugging you and happy to see you," she said.