A warm and nurturing environment for preschoolers
When Walter Bennett Jr. drops off his 4-year-old granddaughter at her preschool program in Oak Park, he knows that she will receive tools there that are invaluable – and intangible.
"She's learning how to socialize, to share and get along and respect one another," said Bennett, as his granddaughter sat on his lap.
"It gives her a head start into the future ... and the kids are our future," he said.
Bennett pretty much sums up how the federal Head Start program--which his granddaughter is enrolled in – received its name. The idea was that if top preschools were made available to low-income families, children would learn key reading and social skills that would give them a head start in elementary school and beyond.
Numerous research studies have shown the hypothesis to be true.
Members of the Women's Civic Improvement Club – an African American women's service group – knew the importance of preschool for low-income families when they set out to open the Playmate Child Development Center years ago.
The center offers low-income children a chance to attend a quality preschool for free.
The preschool also offers parents help by providing child care so they can continue their studies or work.
"It helps me out during the day so I can still go to school," said Quiona Woldridge, who is studying to be a nurse while her twin 4-year-olds attend the school.
Edenausegboye Davis, executive director of the Playmate Child Development Center, said many families whose children attend the school face financial obstacles. Some can't afford to buy their children winter coats.
Davis and others with the Women's Civic Improvement Club have asked Book of Dreams readers to help them buy winter coats for children.
"The cost of living is so high right now. Gas alone is really hurting people," Davis said.
The new coats would definitely come in handy for the holidays, Davis said.
"We always try to help our families out during the school year, but definitely during the holidays," she said.