Press Release 11/23/16

METUCHEN/EDISON/WOODBRIDGE/SOUTH AMBOY – The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy (MEWSA) has received notification of a grant award in the amount of $7,500 from the PNC Foundation to implement a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Program at the Ready…Set…Learn Early Education Center at the South Amboy YMCA.  This grant is unique in that the curriculum will focus on teaching and learning activities through a STEM lens for 2-4 year olds.  The PNC Foundation is a long-time supporter of non-profit organizations and an advocate for educational programs geared towards children and youth, especially for pre-school children ages 2-4, with a focus on a STEM course of study.

The funding will go towards the purchase of iSmartStart Tablets and the creation of an individualized, observation-based assessment system to document development and learning across key milestones, based on The Creative Curriculum® and GOLD® teaching strategies.  STEM-related experiments and activities will be incorporated to provide a well-rounded, hands-on approach to learning, forming a solid foundation for understanding key concepts later on.  “We are firm believers that it is never too early to introduce STEM concepts into our early education programs”, said Rose Cushing, CEO & President of the YMCA of MEWSA.  “It will prepare the children for success in college, career and life”.  The program is scheduled to begin in January 2017 with the goal of implementing a full-day program by September 2017.

The YMCA has previously received a grant from the PNC Foundation for a summer extended learning program at Harborview Early Learning Center in Woodbridge which served to limit the amount of summer learning loss experienced by students that were entering Kindergarten.

For more information about the Ready…Set…Learn Early Education Program, or other YMCA Childcare Programs, please visit our www.ymcaofmewsa.org/locations/child-care or contact Krystyn Gallant at 732-553-9622, Ext. 4210.