The Early Learning Division has provided quality Child Care and Head Start services for more than 30 years. More than 1,200 children and families are served each day with comprehensive early childhood/family services that include health services, social services, and educational services. Over the years, our staff has been recognized locally and nationally with awards and requests for technical assistance. In 2003, ABCD was recognized with a Quality Award by the Administration for Children and Families. In 2005, Books for Kids selected the ABCD Early Learning Division to be the recipient of a new center-based library valued at more than $24,000. The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on September 29, 2005. In 2005, ABCD?s Head Start program was the featured program in the Education Development Center?s, Inc. publication, Exemplary Head Start Mental Health Systems. In 2007, the Met Life Foundation, in collaboration with Reading is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), selected ABCD to be one of two Connecticut recipients of their 2005 RIF Community Reading Challenge Award. The cash prize was $500. In 2007-08, ABCD became the replacement grantee for another Head Start program, increasing enrollment by 361 children. In 2009, ABCD again became the replacement provider of early care and education for 100 infants and toddlers when their previous provider relinquished their license.

ABCD?s program was previously recognized by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) when we were invited to provide training to ACF?s program specialists on the topic of Family Literacy, and again when we were asked to re-organize and operate the Danbury Head Start program for two years. The Early Learning Division has become a resource statewide for programs in need of technical assistance and training and has provided assistance to a number of other Head Start programs throughout the state. Regionally, we were selected to become the pilot site for President Bush?s National Literacy Initiative and one of a handful of test sites nationwide for the National Reporting System for Head Start. Most recently, A.B.C.D. was invited to participate in grants with the State Department of Education and the Bridgeport Board of Education that will result in resource sharing and improved programming and have been chosen to participate in the nation-wide FACES impact study of Head Start children.

This past year, as in previous years, more than, 1,200 children had their vision and hearing tested. They were also tested for lead and anemia, and were screened for developmental delays. As a result, 120 children were identified with special needs and received preventative services from our team of specialists, which includes three mental health professionals, disabilities specialists, and services from the Bridgeport and Stratford Boards of Education. We have a full-time in-house health team of that includes a registered nurse, licensed practical nurses, and a registered dietician.

ABCD is also training high school students who are pursuing early childhood education as a career choice and partners with the Bullard Havens Technical High School. The partnership gives high school students in the Bullard Havens Early Childhood track hands-on experience in our childcare classrooms. Each year high school students are hired, paid and placed in classrooms with teacher/mentors up to 20 hours a week. The students earned the same pay rate as classroom substitutes. The students worked the hours necessary to earn their Child Development Associate Certificate (the minimal credential necessary to be hired as a teacher in an early childhood setting). Upon graduation, the students may stay on as paid substitutes or may be promoted to the Teacher Aide position. To enhance this experience, ABCD Inc. early Learning division has opened a childcare site located at this high school. Students will experience what it is really like to work in a childcare center during class time each day to increase their knowledge base of early childhood.

This past year ABCD entered into collaboration with the Percussive Arts Society to provide private music lessons for children living in Bridgeport. Students received weekly private music lessons and rehearsed weekly in a music ensemble. Students learned to read music, learned all styles of music and the full range of percussive instruments, including steel pan and marimba. All instruments and materials were provided to the students free of charge.

This program year we have participated in research studies with Yale University and the Michel Cohen group to help provide data for enhancing the early childhood experience with children.

The Early Learning Division is always continuing its efforts to provide quality early learning programs, and family centered services to meet the needs of the people in our community.

Enroll today using our online application. Download and mail the application in English or Spanish.