First Class Pre-K

Here at Help Me Grow, we believe high quality early childhood experiences are a key factor towards a child’s long-term success. We are glad the state is expanding its First Class Pre-K program, and there have been recent events attended by many state and local officials featuring three child development programs.

A program of the Department of Children's Affairs

On September 19th there was a First Class Pre-K ribbon cutting event at Kitty Stone Elementary in Jacksonville. Del Marsh, President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate, State Representative K.L. Brown, and State Representative Randy Wood attended and gave insightful remarks about the importance of quality early learning. The event received media coverage from multiple news outlets including Fox 6, The Anniston Star/Jacksonville News, and AL.com.

A similar event was held on October 9th at University Daycare in Auburn. Mike Hubbard, Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, and State Senator Tom Whatley were both present and spoke about the high return on investment in early childhood. The Opelika-Auburn News, WSFA, and others have covered this story.

The last Pre-K classroom to hold an official ribbon-cutting in this series was at Heavenly Sent Learning Center in Foley, Alabama on October 14th. State Senator Tripp Pittman and State Representative Stephen McMillan were both on hand to join in the celebration. Both legislators serve on committees that appropriate funds which ultimately reach First Class Pre-K. Read more about the event in Foley from the Press-Register.