Early Learning Center
Early childhood education based on a trauma-informed, two-generational model.
ABOUT ADOPT-A-FAMILY
Help bring joy and comfort to the children and families we serve in our Early Learning Center (ELC) during the upcoming season of giving. Inflation has caused an increase in food prices. So, any contribution will go a long way to making sure there is a festive experience for all of our families.
The ELC provides high-quality early childhood education to families who have experienced homelessness and other traumatic events. Rated as a GOLD STAR program by the Ohio Department of Education, the ELC follows a unique two-generational model with small classroom sizes and a trauma-informed approach. We work closely with community partners to provide additional resources and support, ensuring that the entire family receives the services they need to thrive.
We are requesting donations by December 4th so that our team can purchase gift cards for YWCA families. This will allow our families to select needed items. With your support, we will gift each family with $250 in gift cards this year.
If you would like to participate in Adopt a Family, there are two ways to give:
Visit our donation page: Select “Direct my gift to”. From the designated giving drop-down, select “Adopt A Family “
Mail a check: Mail a check to 4019 Prospect Ave. Cleveland, OH 44103 made out to YWCA Greater Cleveland to the attention of the Finance Department with a note designating Adopt a Family.
For questions or more information, contact:
LaTishia Gomez, Family Service Director | lgomez@ywcaofcleveland.org | 216-299-7615
What makes the ELC special?
-
Innovative
The Early Learning Center is the only early childhood education center model of this type in this part of the country.
-
Quality
All lead teachers are required to have a four-year degree to implement customized, high-quality education plans.
-
Supportive
Ongoing case management services provide family members with resources to achieve their goals, increase self-sufficiency.
-
Therapeutic
On-site Clinical Director focuses on meeting the social and emotional needs of the children and their families.
About the ELC
When you visit the Early Learning Center, you will sense right away that this is a happy place – not only for the children, but also for the teaching faculty. Everyone on staff is doing what they love most – working with children and families to establish a solid educational foundation. For more than 100 years, the YWCA has been providing high-quality early childhood education for children ages three to five years while empowering mothers and fathers to pursue their career and educational goals.
YWCA incorporates a therapeutic approach and two-generational model into its Early Learning Center model to best serve children age 3 to 5. This innovative trauma-informed model will assess and identify the social-emotional needs of the children, work with families to create case plans, achieve goals, prevent re-occurrence of homelessness, and empower families to achieve and maintain the highest level of self-sufficiency.
The Early Learning Center offers a uniquely diverse child care setting for families who live and work throughout Greater Cleveland. Experienced educators teach a child-centered curriculum, and children learn to celebrate differences from a young age.
Early Learning Center parents stay engaged and up to date through various communication channels, family events, support groups, and parent action teams.
-
The Early Learning Center is conveniently located between University Circle and downtown, in the administrative building of YWCA Greater Cleveland.
4019 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
The Early Learning Center is open:
Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
The ELC is currently enrolling children 3 to 5 years of age. The ELC is closed eight days throughout the year for holidays and staff development.
-
Preschool
The Early Learning Center has a whole-child approach to teaching preschoolers, accounting for their mind, body, and soul. We celebrate the diversity of children and encourage them to learn about and respect their differences.
Preparing children for kindergarten comes naturally in our classrooms. YWCA preschool teachers help children internalize routines and rules to help them get along with others. Teachers also help children understand that there are many different ways to learn and be successful. We support each child’s individual strengths, which helps to foster their self-esteem.
Pre-K
Pre-K prepares children to enter kindergarten by teaching self-help skills, developing their attention spans, and fostering learning independence. Children develop a love of learning while they become accustomed to working independently, participating in group activities, and completing interest-based projects. Teachers help children understand the daily routines of a structured classroom while still focusing on child-centered, creative learning.
-
To prepare children for kindergarten and empower families to achieve and maintain the highest level of self-sufficiency.
Studies show that upon entering kindergarten, children who participate in early childhood education programs demonstrate greater language, literacy, and math development than children who go directly from home care to kindergarten.
-
YWCA’s Early Learning Center provides:
-Lower teacher-to-child ratios
-Higher teacher education levels
-A focus on professional development
-Early childhood mental health consultation
-Effective administration practices
-Strong implementation of an evidence-based curriculum
-
USDA Statement: The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form.
You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
See the impact.
Take a look inside the Early Learning Center and see the impact of our unique approach.
Take a virtual tour of the ELC!
Thank you to NRP Group for serving as the general contractor for our outdoor classroom. The outdoor classroom is a therapeutic learning space that includes art stations, a sandbox, and raised garden beds that segue into a quiet green space.
Partnerships & Accreditations
To enroll your child in the ELC
Call us at 216.881.6878 and ask to speak with LaTishia Gomez
Fill out an application in person
Participate in orientation
Start!
For more information, contact:
Tish Gomez
Family Engagement Director
email