NEWS

from Central Connecticut State University
Honored as a "Leadership Institution" by the Association of American Colleges & Universities

Media contact: Bart Fisher, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications
(860) 832-1624; Fisherb@ccsu.edu 
 

Early Learning Program at CCSU Focuses on Family

NEW BRITAIN, (October 9, 2007) – The Early Learning Program at Central Connecticut State University and The New Britain Early Childhood School Readiness Council and Community have joined forces to offer enhanced curriculums to children aged 3-5. With a recent School Readiness Funding grant in excess of $100,000 the CCSU Early Learning Program facility at 1285 East Street maintains an extensive focus on the family as a whole. “The community involvement is the key,” explains Sherry Pesino, president of the program’s Board of Directors. The ELP aims to guide children and families away from “social dependency” and toward educational opportunities.

The School Readiness Funding aids children in the ELP by providing funds for field trips, school supplies, explorative tools, improving quality faculty and inviting educational speakers. The children enrolled in the program are involved in activities that are based on play that address their developmental needs in emotional, social, cognitive, and physical growth. It also serves as a resource center for parents concerned about their children’s emotional and educational growth.

The Board of Directors is made up of a multi-cultural and multi-lingual group of faculty, non-faculty, and parents with fluency in English, Spanish, Arabic and Polish. Multi-lingual applications are available for families as well. Pesino explains, “I’m so pleased we can meet more community needs than ever before. None of this would have been possible without CCSU providing the facility.”

With a sliding pay schedule, the ELP can now accommodate the community better by aiding children who need full-time enrollment, while providing the children more social interaction. Director of the ELP, Talhaht Mannan says, “I’m excited the School Readiness Funding will allow families in the community to afford a quality program that they may not necessarily be able to afford otherwise.” Mannan indicates the new funding source will further aid the facility in operations.

On Thursday, October 11, the ELP is hosting an Open House between 5:30 and 7:00p.m. The open house, at 1285 East Street, includes enrollment packages and an escorted tour of the facility. Hands on activities will offer parents and guardians additional information as well as an opportunity to meet board members, teachers, a School Readiness liaison and personnel.

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