Two-thirds of third graders in Philly read below grade level, a benchmark that can indicate future poverty. With 85% of cognitive development happening in the first five years of life, child care teachers can help young learners dramatically during their first years. In centers rated low by Pennsylvania’s quality rating system, teachers often lack formal education/access to education in child development, and classroom practices often don’t support a child’s literacy and language development, which can carry long-term ramifications for children.

We provide professional development in literacy and language development through quarterly and bi-monthly coaching for STAR 1 & 2 teachers of ages birth through five in our partner sites. We provide book nooks, books and literacy materials for each classroom. We help host family engagement events twice per year for parents to receive books and learn fun ways to support their child’s literacy and language development at home. We offer specialized support for teachers of dual language learners. We connect teachers and parents to additional resources.

Participating teachers will: demonstrate increased capacity to offer early literacy opportunities and increase the quality of these engagements in the classroom; facilitate access to high-quality, diverse children’s literature; and implement more literacy activities and learning opportunities into daily practice.

Families will: be more connected to their child’s early literacy journey and more engaged with learning happening in the daycare setting, resulting in children being more engaged in early literacy behaviors.