“The Early Learning Indiana scholarship truly helps my family by providing access to a SAFE and WONDERFUL center to send my child while I go to work during the day. The best gift I could ask for!” – Day Early Learning Parent
One important program that sets Day Early Learning centers apart from other high quality early education providers is our Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), which offers direct scholarships for qualifying families to help offset the expense of attending a Day Early Learning center. Our TAP removes the barriers of poverty or limited income, enabling all families to choose high quality, accredited early care and education. Our TAP has a dual benefit for families. Parents are able to go to work or school full time to provide a better life for their family, while their child is in a safe and nurturing environment and benefiting from a Day Early Learning education.
Thanks to generous supporters, more than 300 families were served by TAP in 2015 and we anticipate even more children will have been served through all of 2016. Early Learning Indiana has offered the Tuition Assistance Program to eligible families for over 20 years, as more than half of the children who attend our Day Early Learning Centers require financial assistance. Most of these families do not have a safety net if they lose a job or are laid off; they need Early Learning Indiana’s help to keep stability in their children’s lives while they work to support their families or attend school to improve their income and career prospects. And our parents are very appreciative of the TAP program:
“I recently lost my job after paying full tuition. The center cut my tuition through TAP. It’s the only way my son could stay in school and keep learning and allow me to have time to launch a new business. I couldn’t have kept him in school without it. I’m so grateful!” – Day Early Learning Parent
Research tells us the most critical time in a child’s development is the first five years of life. During these years, children learn to understand their own feelings, develop empathy for others, and learn how to build relationships. In our Day Early Learning centers, we surround our children with vibrant classrooms and enriching curriculum enhancements using the philosophy of child-centered learning into daily activities and interactive arts education experiences. Children are exposed to an exciting array of inspiring experiences, and graduate from our centers passionate learners, ready to take on kindergarten and the world.
TAP is always our area of greatest funding need. If you would like to help support deserving families, please donate here.
