High quality programs prepare children for school, allow families to stay in the workforce
Four years ago, Shaiann Shubert moved to Bloomington for her job as a scientist at Novo Nordisk. A single mother to three boys, she is focused on supporting her family and her boys’ education.
“We don’t have family here, and I didn’t know anyone when we moved,” said Shubert. This year, she enrolled her youngest son, Oliver, in Pre-K at Templeton Elementary School.
“It has been a phenomenal experience,” said Shubert. “It’s helpful that Pre-K is at the elementary school so Oliver can be there with his brothers. It’s exciting for him. I’m really happy about how he is learning to have good behavior at school and learning the norms for going into kindergarten. The teachers have done a fantastic job teaching standards and goals and everything for behaviors.”
Shubert is benefitting from subsidized tuition for Pre-K offered through the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC)’s 2023 Referendum.
“I’m extremely grateful that I’m able to send him to school. It made it possible for me to work,” said Shubert. “I’m currently taking care of [my boys] all by myself, so being able to work is huge. It’s life changing that I’m able to stay employed with all of them.”
Shubert said that before she moved to Bloomington, there were not enough high-quality preschool options, so her oldest did not attend preschool.
“I am extremely grateful for MCCSC’s Early Learning options, and the before-school care services, and everything that is offered,” said Shubert. “They’ve done an excellent job with literacy. Oliver wasn’t interested in writing or ABCs until that started taking off during the school year. Now he is counting and starting to show an interest in math.”
MCCSC’s Early Learning programs are all state-licensed, high-quality educational programs. All 4-year-old Pre-K programs are rated Level 4 in Paths to QUALITY™ — the highest rating in Indiana’s Child Care Quality Rating System and are NAEYC accredited. All 3-year-old Preschool programs are Levels 3 and 4 Paths to QUALITY™.
Lisa White, whose granddaughter Sophie is in the Pre-K program at Grandview Elementary School, said that the high-quality education is what allowed Sophie to excel.
“She was at a daycare before, but she wasn’t learning anything,” said White. “I found out about MCCSC’s program and Sophie has grown leaps and bounds since starting. She’s learned counting skills, colors, starting to pick up on some reading skills, and knows her days of the week.”
Enrollment is now ongoing for families to sign up for MCCSC Preschool and Pre-K Early Learning programs and tuition assistance details are available at the MCCSC Early Learning website.
Like Shubert, White also benefits from tuition assistance through MCCSC’s 2023 Referendum, which allows Sophie to attend Pre-K for free.
“It has helped tremendously,” said White. “Sophie has had a wonderful year, and she is already talking about kindergarten. When I did my parent-teacher conference in fall, Sophie’s teacher, Mrs. Robertson, said she was totally ready to go to kindergarten.”
MCCSC’s Pre-K program is open to students who will have turned four years old by August 1, 2025. Through the 2023 Referendum, all MCCSC families, regardless of income, qualify for at least $4,000 in assistance toward the full $8,000 cost of the Pre-K program through MCCSC or partner providers. Many families will qualify for more.
MCCSC’s Preschool program is open to students who will have turned three years old by August 1, 2025. MCCSC families whose incomes are 225% or less of the federal poverty level qualify for free tuition through MCCSC’s 2023 Referendum.
White encourages other families to enroll their children in Early Learning programs.
“Families should really consider it because their child can grow tremendously in their learning abilities and be ready for the next steps in their little life,” she said, “And it helps parents who work full-time that don’t have a lot of extra time to help their children. This is a great opportunity for them.”
MCCSC now offers a summer program called “Little Explorers” EdVenture Camp for Pre-K and kindergarten students and enrollment is now open. The camp, June 2-July 24, offers age appropriate and science themed activities including arts and crafts, music, story time, games, water play, and more.
A limited number of EdVenture Camp scholarships are available for those who qualify. For kindergarten students, families must have received MCCSC Free/Reduced meals during the 2024-2025 school year to qualify. Pre-K students whose family incomes are 225% or less of the federal poverty level are eligible to attend for free, through MCCSC’s 2023 Referendum.
For information and to enroll in Early Learning programs, families should visit https://earlylearning.mccsc.edu/. Questions can be directed to earlylearning@mccsc.edu or 812-330-7702.