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Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP)’s Early Childhood programs join the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in recognizing April 6-12 as the Week of the Young Child.

NAEYC, which provides accreditation to early childhood programs and offers resources for early learning professionals, highlights the importance of early learning for children and families throughout the week. Locally, GLCAP has provided Head Start services in northwest Ohio for nearly 60 years. The program offers no-cost preschool for families in need to ensure that young children have access to high-quality early learning experiences.

In 2023, GLCAP provided:

• Head Start preschool for 878 students ages 3-5 at centers in Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood County
• Early Head Start services for 597 children ages birth-3 at partnering childcare centers and family childcare locations in the five-county region, as well as GLCAP’s Stricker Family Development Center in Fremont
• Migrant & Seasonal Head Start for 183 children ages birth-5 at centers in Fremont, Napoleon, New Carlisle, and Shiloh, Ohio.

“Children make the most important developmental gains during the early years of their lives,” GLCAP Child Development Director Jacquie Wells said. “Head Start classrooms are places that promote and encourage these gains, and our teachers and staff help children learn, grow, and become ready for kindergarten during their time with us.”

To achieve NAEYC accreditation, early learning programs must meet ten standards including emphasizing learning through exploration and play; maintaining good health and nutrition practices in the classroom; integrating families into children’s learning experiences; and meeting other quality indicators. GLCAP’s Early Childhood Centers in Bowling Green, Clyde, Fostoria, Fremont, Genoa, Perrysburg/Rossford, Port Clinton, and Tiffin are all NAEYC accredited, and GLCAP’s Bancroft and Sylvania Early Childhood Centers are seeking accreditation.

For more information on GLCAP’s early learning programs, visit www.glcap.org/earlychildhood or call 1-800-775-9767.