Helping Children Get Ready for School | Full Video with Transcript

Video Transcript

Olivia Hayes, Senior Program Coordinator, Community Impact Department, United Way of Central Alabama: Part of United Way of Central Alabama’s mission is to expand access to community resources.

A few years ago, an analysis indicated that more than 20,000 additional child care slots were needed. That need ties not only to high-quality learning outcomes, college readiness and long-term educational indicators, but also to economic indicators across our region. Families are able to go to work knowing that their child has access to high-quality education.

EXCEL has proven to be an impactful program. It has allowed more than 2,000 additional child care slots to be added, along with 80 new classrooms and 11 new facilities.

The program is also having an impact on the local job market. Not only have 150 jobs within the child care sector been created, but this work has also had a profound impact on the local economy. Parents can go to work knowing that their child has access to high-quality early learning and education.