Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania opens three Preschool Programs; New programs support working parents

Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA) took a major step in expanding its program model this week with the fully public launch of its Great Futures Preschool Program in three Clubhouse locations: Carnegie, Estelle S. Campbell in Lawrenceville and The Georgian Place in Somerset.

The preschools officially opened in August, but offered priority registration to faculty, staff and students from the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and UPMC. As of today, however, Great Futures Preschools enrollment is fully open to the public.

According to a study released earlier this year by Fourth Economy, a gap persists between the need for child care and its availability that was present even prior to the pandemic, which has exacerbated the problem.

The Great Futures Preschool program can accommodate up to 60 children across the three programs. BGCWPA Great Futures is in the process of completing the NAEYC-accreditation and PA Keystone Star 4 status at both Clubhouses, complete with a Certificate of Compliance from the Department of Human Services and a Keystone STARS Verification. Great Futures follows the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards and provides high quality early childhood programs/child care for children ranging from three through five years of age.

“Launching these programs was important to us because we know that families are struggling to find safe, affordable, high-quality early childhood programming in our region,” said Dr. Lisa Abel-Palmieri, BGCWPA President & CEO. “Our Carnegie, Lawrenceville and Somerset Clubhouses offer working parents not just child care but a high-quality preschool program that invites children into the adventure of learning from a young age.”

Following a 10:1 child-to-teacher ratio, each Clubhouse features a mixed-age classroom for up to 20 preschool students. The full-time weekly tuition for Great Futures ranges from $115 to $200, a part-time reduced rate is available, and Child Care Works co-pay assistance is accepted at each location.

BGCWPA’s Great Futures Preschool program works to support children to grow to their fullest potential in all areas of development, thus creating a positive self-concept and a realistic opportunity for success in life. Teachers work with children individually and in small groups, identifying their strengths and helping children to identify positively with each of their individual differences.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA)

Since 1888, BGCWPA has served youth throughout Western Pennsylvania. Consisting of 12 Clubhouse locations and more than a dozen partner sites in Allegheny and Somerset Counties, two stand-alone workforce development locations and three Great Futures Preschool sites, BGCWPA serves thousands of youth annually. BGCWPA, one of the largest and most comprehensive providers of before- and after-school and summer day camp programming in the region, is a licensed childcare provider, and offers scholarships to families in need. Programming includes academic literacy, STEM enrichment, sports and recreational activities and mentoring. Additionally, BGCWPA serves young adults ages 18-24 through workforce development programming. Learn more at www.bgcwpa.org.