Early childhood education (ECE): high-quality nationally accredited early childhood education was provided at five YWCA children's centers across the twin cities. In 2020-21, 400+ children ages six weeks to 12 years old were served. Experienced professional teachers partnered with families to prepare children to excel in school and life. Our unique play-based, anti-bias curriculum incorporates values of diversity and conflict resolution skills. Learning opportunities incorporated into every part of the day promote social and emotional development, language and literacy development, creativity and the arts, cognitive development, and physical and motor skills. Our centers had intermittent brief covid-19-related closures throughout the year, but four of the five centers were open throughout the pandemic and the fifth center opened in July 2021. Outstanding educational outcomes: for children in care for six or more months in 2020-21: 85 percent of children demonstrated age-appropriate developmental progress, and 87 percent of preschoolers met rigorous early learning standards indicating school readiness. Early childhood education workforce development: this program provides access to comprehensive training and support for participants to complete a child development associate (cda) - a foundational post-secondary credential for pursuing a career in early childhood education. This training opportunity provides a professional career pathway for successful participants - all live in low-income households, 80 percent identify as people of color, most will be working to enter or re-enter the workforce and many are single mothers.

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