News & Media

Catholic Preschool Enhancements

Facts & Figures

  • Nearly 3 out of 4 young children with working mothers are regularly in child care.1
  • Research shows that ages 0-5 are the most critical in a child’s development.2
  • Ninety percent of a child’s brain is developed by age 4.3
  • Studies demonstrate that children exposed to quality learning environments are more likely to read at grade level by grade four, more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to get in trouble with the law.4

 

 

Catholic Preschoolers Reap Rewards of Curriculum and Facility Improvements 


One thousand young children attending Catholic preschools in Phoenix are benefiting from quality improvements in curricula and facilities at 20 schools throughout Maricopa County. 

As part of The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust’s commitment to supporting programs that encourage the healthy development of children, it has invested over $760,000 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix’s preschool curricular programs and facilities. 

Recognizing the first five years are the most critical in a child’s development, the new curricula focuses on ensuring the preschool programs meet quality standards for the social, emotional and academic development of each child.

Consultants from the Maricopa Community Colleges, all with early learning expertise, conducted an assessment of each site and recommended individualized strategies for integrating quality improvements in the curriculum.

“Introducing a variety of quality improvements into the curricula really enhances the valuable programming already being provided to children by the Catholic preschools,” said Marilee Dal Pra, Senior Program Officer for the Trust.  “The preschool directors and staff are clearly committed to the success of the children in their programs and have been eager to embrace the recommendations.”

The Trust invested more than $687,000 in facility improvements, equipment and supplies.  Teachers and directors identified equipment needs to increase safety and enhance the educational experience for preschoolers.  Projects ranged from renovating bathrooms and implementing security measures to installing new playground equipment. 

“Piper Trust’s investment in our preschool has been phenomenal.  It even inspired some parents to get actively involved, with several contributing additional dollars to support the modifications,” shared Kathleen Bise, director of St. Mary Goretti Preschool and Kindergarten.

The Trust is exploring additional investments in staff training and development as well as technical support to implement the standardized curriculum. 

According to Dal Pra, “The Trust’s commitment is to do as much as possible to help the children in these programs be successful. With that goal in mind, additional support for the ongoing development of the staff may be required.”



CONTACT:

MaryBeth Mueller, Executive Director and Evangelization, 602.354.2344
 


1 National Child Care Information Center, www.nccic.org
2 Early Childhood Experience Shapes Child and Culture, 
   Dr.   Bruce D. Perry, September 2004.
3 Ibid
4 Chicago Longitudinal Study, www.preknow.org
 

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