A COLLABORATIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN IN LEWIS COUNTY
THE UNITED LEARNING CENTER | NEW PROJECT - OPENING FALL 2022
What is the United Learning Center?
The United Learning Center (ULC) will facilitate the comprehensive education of our community's youth through the founding entities' combined skills, resources, and connections. The ULC will be comprised of a high-quality, affordable early learning program for working families, an after-school mentorship program and summer engagement opportunities through the Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County, and the Discover! Children's Museum, which will ignite the love of learning in children of all ages.
Why is the United Learning Center vital to our community?
In Lewis County, only approximately 25% of children under five years of age have the opportunity to participate in a quality child care program; lack of child care centers playing a large part in this. Center numbers are on the decline, leaving families and children unable to access programs that promote child success.
Parents of infants and young children all across Washington struggle to find and afford high-quality, licensed child care, often paying more for child care than the cost of college tuition.
Project Goals
- To provide a quality early learning program for up to 150 children between the ages of two and five years of age
- Target population - the ALICE population (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed)
- Through scholarships, children will be able to attend at little to no cost to the family. This increases the available workforce, providing an affordable child care option for a family and a safe and educational environment for local kids.
The United Learning Center will feature an inclusive community early learning program that includes a research-informed curriculum and approach that will prepare all children for success in school.
Project Update
Site selection - the home of the United Learning Center will be on the corner of Pearl and Maple Streets in Centralia. (across from the Chronicle)
Project Partners - City of Centralia, United Way of Lewis County, Discover! Children's Museum, Boys & Girls Club
Capital Budget Funding - $3 million awarded from last legislative session for the construction of the United Learning Center
City of Centralia - approved $1.9 million in REET funds to help construct the United Learning Center
Design / Site Plans - currently working with KMB Architects on building design/site plans
Early Learning Program Development - contracting with Capital Region ESD 113 and SJN Consulting to design an affordable, full day early learning program that will serve children two to five years old.
Construction/Ground Breaking - set to begin Spring 2021 with the goal of opening Fall 2022
