Education Program
Early Learning Centers offers an educational, hands on program to help all children grow and develop in their own unique way, but with the end goal being all children leave Kindergarten ready.
Research on brain development shows stimulation for educational growth must begin during the first three years of life to have significant long-lasting effects. These results were found to be particularly important for high risk, underprivileged children.
In the Perry Preschool Project, that began in the 1960’s, low-income, at-risk children were divided into two groups: one group attended a high-quality early childhood program and the other group did not.
After 40 years the study showed the children who attended the early childhood programs were more likely to finish high school and attend college, less likely to be arrested, more likely to own a home, more likely to stay married and less likely to be on welfare compared to the children who did not attend an early childhood program.
In May of 2019, the study announced the children of the children in the original study, are also more likely to finish high school with no suspensions (67%) compared to 40% of the children of non-participants. Sixty percent have never been addicted or arrested, compared to 40% of the children of non-participants.
The study also showed that 59% were employed full-time or self-employed, compared to 42% of the children of non-participants, thus proving that early life improvements can carry on to second generations. (High/Scope Educational Research Foundation)
Curious to see the impact we are making in the lives of young children in Lubbock the Early Learning Centers started measuring the outcomes of a number of things and we have found:
Early Learning Centers Impact Study
- The longer a child is enrolled at Early Learning Centers, the more likely they are to master developmental milestones, than children of the same age enrolled a shorter amount of time.
- If a child enrolls with us by the age of two, and attends through age four, they will be developmentally equal to those children who enrolled six to 12 months earlier.
- We compared 2 year-old’s, enrolled longer than 12 months, Growth and Development Assessments, to 2 year-old’s, enrolled six months or less, and found children enrolled longer were more likely to have mastered their development assessments.
- 98% of parents surveyed have less worry and anxiety about their child after enrolling at ELC. 98% of parents better understand their child’s development.
- ELC provided more than 150 individuals with training on how to recognize and report child abuse and neglect. We have conducted over 40,200 well checks, looking for signs or symptoms of child abuse.
- After enrolling and learning about the importance of literacy development, 100% of parents read to their children at least once a week, and have children’s books in their homes.
Nutritional Program
Early Learning Centers also provides a nutritional program through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). We provide breakfast, lunch and snack to the children each day. These meals meet nearly 100% of the daily nutritional needs of a child. We also provide, at no additional cost, baby formula, baby bottles and baby food.
We offer a variety of foods to expose children to new foods as well as providing them with favorites, all designed to meet the nutritional needs of young children. Infant parents will fill out an infant menu monthly allowing parents to introduce food to their infants as they choose. Our staff will inform parents of changes in their infants eating habits and patterns to help parents with menu selections. Toddler and Preschool menu’s are posted in the center.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
For more information call 806-765-9981 or email us at lena.scaff@elclubbock.org.
Join the Early Learning Centers of Lubbock Family
We would love to help your child reach those oh, so important milestones in life.