Q&A
Impact on families and unique services provided by early childhood centers
0:22:25
·
68 sec
Council Member Rita Joseph explores the impact of potential closures on families and the unique services provided by the early childhood centers. The discussion highlights the specialized nature of these programs and the lack of alternatives in the area.
- Nuestros Niños is the only provider of certain services in the area, including bilingual programs and two-year-old care
- The center offers a Reggio-inspired philosophy, which would be costly for families to access elsewhere
- Closure would create a childcare desert in the neighborhood, affecting working families
Rita Joseph
0:22:25
What has been the response from the families that you served?
Ingrid Matias Chungata
0:22:29
It was a relief to be able to apply for an additional year but families that have two year olds then they know that the following year they wouldn't have a program to attend.
0:22:40
So it's disheartening for our community.
Rita Joseph
0:22:42
Absolutely.
0:22:43
Is there any other providers within that area?
Ingrid Matias Chungata
0:22:48
So we have three other sites in two sites in Williamsburg but no program that service the model that we do.
Rita Joseph
0:22:58
Amount that
Aaron Sanders
0:22:59
you
Rita Joseph
0:22:59
And
Aaron Sanders
0:22:59
our
Ingrid Matias Chungata
0:22:59
two ks program it's the only one around.
Rita Joseph
0:23:01
Yep, two ks programs are very rare, most folks don't know about early learn.
0:23:05
Is there another bilingual program?
0:23:07
You talked about it being bilingual, culturally responsive, is there another bilingual program within that area?
Ingrid Matias Chungata
0:23:13
Besides Noestros Ninos, no.
Rita Joseph
0:23:15
So you serve a unique niche by serving two year olds one, second nutritious meals and bilingual education.
Ingrid Matias Chungata
0:23:24
We also have a rego inspired philosophy which is if families were to pay for that outside of our program it would be thousands of dollars.