The coronavirus pandemic has shut down schools across the country, including the Phoenix, Arizona area. Children are going to be without an educational system for 4-6 months. This lack of a system is proven to be detrimental to their entire learning experience.
However, a new non-profit is taking some much-needed steps to provide the educational resources for 1,500 families in the Arizona area. Waterford.org is providing the Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path, which offers an at-home early education option at no cost to families this summer. Children must be entering kindergarten in the fall and families with a poverty rate of 200% or below could qualify for the program.
In addition to the educational program, Waterford is also offering laptops and internet access for these families. Multiple local Arizona leaders, like State Representative Regina Cobb, are supporting the Upstart program.
“I am so pleased that Waterford Upstart has stepped up in such a big way to support Arizona families during these challenging and uncertain times,” she says. “I have seen Waterford Upstart in action, and it’s proven, adaptive educational software will help ensure that these children are kindergarten ready and excited to learn!”
Roughly 2.2 million four-year-old children in the United States, particularly children from low-income households or geographically isolated areas, are unable to access site-based preschool because of cost and transportation, among others. Dr. Claudia Miner, Executive Director and Co-founder of Waterford Upstart, says that the Waterford Upstart program gives parents the resources to prepare their children for school in the fall season.
“Help is on the way for parents who are doing their best but struggling during this stressful time,” she says. “Waterford Upstart includes an award-winning adaptive program along with coaching and assistance parents need to prepare their child for school this fall, right at home.”
Families in other states could register for the program as well. For more information on this program and if your family qualifies for it, visit https://www.waterford.org/. Also, be sure to leave a comment or like and share this article with someone you know.
