Preschool Tuition Assistance Helps Make High Quality Pre-K Accessible

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Johnstown, PA (February 20, 2017) – Quality preschool programs are proven to better prepare children for entry into kindergarten, and some studies show the benefits last as long as 25 years! While some school districts now offer pre-k programs, it is not universal in our region. That means many local parents must send their child to a private preschool. Unfortunately, not every family can afford the cost.

The Learning Lamp, a nonprofit organization that works together with schools and families, offers high quality preschool programs across the region with tuition assistance available for income-eligible families. “In the 2016-17 school year, The Learning Lamp provided tuition assistance to 50 families throughout Cambria, Somerset and Bedford counties so their children could attend the preschool of their choice, not a program parents settled for because it was all they could afford,” said Erica Ponczek, Early Learning Director at The Learning Lamp. 

Research has shown that every dollar spent on a quality early learning program saves between $7 and $17 on social services later in a child’s life. Parents can determine the quality of a preschool program by checking into licensing, accreditation, and whether the program participates in Pennsylvania’s Keystone STARS quality improvement initiative for early learning programs.

Parents interested in exploring the early childhood education options available to them are welcome to stop by The Learning Lamp’s open house and registration events at its Davidsville, Westmont and Richland preschool locations in March. If parents intend to enroll a child, they are asked to bring with them their child’s insurance card and, if applying for assistance, their previous year’s tax return information. The following are dates and times for each registration:

• The Learning Lamp Preschool @ Conemaugh Township Elementary School

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

1516 Tire Hill Road, Johnstown, PA 15905

•  The Learning Lamp Center for Children @ Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center (GJCTC)

Tuesday, March 14, 2016 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Room F-204 of the GJCTC. 445 Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904

•  The Learning Lamp Preschool in Westmont

Tuesday, March 28, 2016 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

700 Indiana Street, Johnstown, PA 15905

For more information about The Learning Lamp’s early childhood education programs, please contact Erica Ponczek at 814-262-0732 extension 222 or visit thelearninglamp.org.

The Learning Lamp is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage all children in the support they need to succeed. We deliver high quality programs that are affordable and accessible to families of all income levels. The Learning Lamp served 30,711 children from 57 school districts and 53 non-public and private schools and other organizations in 17 Pennsylvania counties and one county in Maryland in 2015. 

Our programs include: one-to-one tutoring; before/after school programs; portable classrooms aimed at building math and science skills; alternative education programs for at-risk students; evidence-based prevention programs; online learning and credit recovery; SAT preparation; educationally-focused child care; literacy-based preschool programs; and grant writing and project consulting for schools.