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Tuition Assistance Helps Bridge Gap in Publically Funded Pre-K

Posted on February 26, 2015

Johnstown, PA (Feb. 26, 2015) – Research demonstrates that every dollar spent on a quality early learning program saves between $7 and $17 on social services later in a child’s life! Unfortunately, preschool is expensive and there are not enough slots in Head Start and other publically funded programs to serve every income-eligible family.

The Learning Lamp’s eight preschool classrooms prepare young students for kindergarten in more than a dozen school districts in Cambria, Somerset and Bedford Counties. In those districts alone, a combined 5,698 children are income-eligible for some type of free preschool. Yet, only 713 children or 13 percent are actually enrolled in publically funded, free pre-k classrooms, according to a recent report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning.

To help bridge the gap, The Learning Lamp offers tuition assistance for preschoolers in Cambria, Somerset and Bedford Counties. This innovative program is funded by businesses through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, the United Ways of Bedford County and the Laurel Highlands, and donations from individuals.

“In 2014, The Learning Lamp distributed $80,178 in preschool scholarships to economically disadvantaged families 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.

Parents that want a quality preschool program for their child at a price they can afford are invited to stop by an open house at The Little Learning Lamp Preschool nearest to them during the months of March and April. Here is the schedule and locations:

Tues., March 3 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Richland Preschool
Greater Johnstown Career & Tech Center Room F-204
445 Schoolhouse Rd.
Johnstown, PA 15904

Tues., March 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Westmont Preschool
Beth Sholom Synagogue
700 Indiana St.
Johnstown, PA 15905

Tuesday, March 10 – 6 to 8 p.m.
The Learning Lamp Center for Children in Somerset
451 Aberdeen Drive
Somerset, PA 15501

Friday, April 10 – 12 to 3 p.m.
The Little Learning Lamp @ Rockwood Elem.
435 Somerset Avenue
Rockwood, PA 15557

Monday, March 30 – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Little Learning Lamp @ Bedford Elem.
3639 Business 220
Bedford, PA 15522

Wednesday, April 29 – 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Little Learning Lamp @ Everett Elem.
427 East South Street
Everett, PA 15537

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

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 19,748 children from 88 school districts and 46 non-public and private schools and other organizations in 18 Pennsylvania counties and two counties in Maryland in 2014.

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.

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