-- Preschoolers Demonstrate Dramatic Learning Gains --

Hartford, CT -- The Hartford Foundation announced today the results of an assessment of preschoolers who attended child care programs in Hartford.  According to the study, children demonstrated significant improvements across five major developmental areas associated with school readiness.

• The study assessed young children who were enrolled in 14 child care centers that receive special support from the Foundation through its Brighter Futures Child Care Enhancement Project.  The independent research firm of Philliber Research Associates found:
• On each dimension, students achieved significant gains from the fall to the spring that were far greater than those they would have achieved had they not attended; and
• On each dimension, students assessed in May 2004, scored significantly higher than students graduating in 2003 from the same centers. 
  The students assessed in May 2004 scored considerably higher than the national average, after having begun the year slightly below the national average. 

“This is incredibly important news," says Richard Sussman, director of the Foundation’s Brighter Futures Initiative.  "It shows that, as early childhood programs strive to achieve high quality, children grow by leaps and bounds.  Is it possible to replicate the success we’ve seen here?  Absolutely.  Will it cost a lot of money?  Not relative to the gain."

Results of the study were announced today at a news conference conducted by the Hartford Foundation.  On hand were Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez, Dr. Janice Gruendel, senior advisor for early childhood to Governor M. Jodi Rell, and Diane Trister Dodge, president of Teaching Strategies, Inc. and lead author of The Creative Curriculum® materials used in the project.

"The findings demonstrate, if there was any doubt, Hartford children can succeed," stated Mayor Perez. "They have the potential. They can learn and grow and be successful when they get the right education at the right time from trained professional staff."

Professionals who work in education, child care, and family support in Hartford attended the news conference, which was held at the Mount Olive Child Development Center on Battles Street in Hartford, one of the participating programs in the Foundation’s Child Care Enhancement Project.

This event marked the beginning of Connecticut’s Week of the Young Child, as proclaimed by Governor M. Jodi Rell.  "The national literature tells us that quality early childhood programs really work. What more perfect way to begin this week than to confirm this again right here in Hartford," says Dr. Gruendel.

The Child Care Enhancement Project is a three-year, $2 million commitment by the Foundation to strengthen the quality of 14 child care centers in Hartford.  These programs serve approximately 1,000 children, ages eight weeks to five years, and employ approximately 250 early childhood professionals.

Funding and support is provided to the centers primarily for intensive staff training in The Creative Curriculum®.  In addition, early childhood professionals can receive stipends to increase their education and substitute teachers are hired to enable classroom staff to plan, create lesson plans, and observe model programs.  Expert consultation is provided to the program staff in mental health, challenging behaviors, and parent engagement, and assistance is provided to program administrators and board members in the areas of marketing, business planning, and facility improvements.

"From my 40 years experience in early childhood education, I’ve seen a lot of attempts to achieve quality," says Diane Trister Dodge.  "The Hartford Foundation’s child care enhancement project is a superb national model.  It shows how children benefit when you approach early childhood education in a sustained, comprehensive manner."

Moreover, Sussman notes that "in an under-resourced system like child care, investment in quality nurtures both the children and the staff, and helps everyone reach their full potential."

Parents who want more information about recognizing or promoting quality child care can try these sources:
• Hartford Area Child Care Collaborative, 860-241-0411 or HACCC@hartnet.org;
• CT Parents Plus/United Way of Connecticut, call 860-571-7504 or visit http://www.ctunitedway.org/what/ctparentsplus.asp.
• National Association for the Education of Young Children, www.naeyc.org/families.

Teaching Strategies, Inc., founded in 1988 by Diane Trister Dodge, is a leading educational publisher of curriculum, assessment, and training materials for early childhood education. The company also provides extensive training and staff development services.  The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool is a comprehensive, integrated preschool curriculum used in Head Start, large school districts, child care, U.S. military and Department of Defense Sure Start programs worldwide, and state pre-kindergarten programs. For more information about The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, visit www.TeachingStrategies.com.

To download a copy (.pdf) of the study, click here.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for the 29-town Capitol Region, devoted to building successful partnerships with donors and nonprofits to help make life better for people in our community.  Its Brighter Futures Initiative is a 20-year, $25 million effort to improve the school readiness and school success of Hartford’s children.  For more information about the Foundation, visit www.hfpg.org or call 548-1888.