Area Resources for Community and Human Services [ARCHS] is partnering with United 4 Children to support early educators working with infants, toddlers, and preschool children.
Child care providers in the St. Louis region have had a tough past few years, as some closed during the coronavirus pandemic. Others have had trouble finding enough workers. Low staffing and low wages are taking a toll on child care centers and parents.
St. Louis Public Radio
Several efforts and funds are trying to increase access to early childhood education programming around St. Louis.
A hub model for early childhood education will work to get more Missouri children into preschool and guide parents to other educational support programs.
It’s another part of a long string of recent efforts in the state and St. Louis to improve funding and access for early childhood education, which is increasingly seen by researchers and advocates as a critical development period in learning.
Missouri’s education agency has named 16 regional hubs so far with plans to add more. In St. Louis, the hub will be run by the nonprofit United 4 Children. The organization will identify an area school district to partner with.