TOLEDO, OH, May 2, 2022 - HOPE Toledo announced today it plans to add 14 new HOPE Toledo Pre-K Affiliate Providers, potentially more than doubling its provider network, to meet the growing need for high-quality pre-K in our community. The overall goal of HOPE Toledo Pre-K is to ensure kindergarten readiness and subsequent successful school performance for all of Toledo’s children. 

Currently, there are ten HOPE Toledo Pre-K Partner Providers from the inaugural 2021-2022 demonstration year. In order to be named a HOPE Toledo Pre-K Partner Provider, each went through a rigorous vetting process and demonstrated their practices align with HOPE Toledo’s core components. In addition, they had to show they were ready, with support, to implement the specified standards and requirements developed by HOPE Toledo Pre-K. In turn, they receive HOPE Toledo funding to support full implementation. 

The purpose of the new HOPE Toledo Affiliate Provider relationships is three-fold: 

1. To continue to build HOPE Toledo’s focus on creating a comprehensive, community-based approach to early childhood education and care in our community. 

2. To align with preschool providers who want to be a part of HOPE Toledo, but for one reason or another did not or were not able to participate in the initial 2021-2022 demonstration year. 

3. To give preschool providers time to respond to the full HOPE Toledo Pre-K standards to be ready for the 2022-2023 year and become a HOPE Toledo Pre-K Partner Provider. 

“We are very excited to be growing HOPE Toledo Pre-K by announcing that these 14 centers have met the criteria to become our first cohort of HOPE Toledo Pre-K Affiliate Providers, potentially paving the way for them to become full HOPE Toledo Pre-K Partner Providers by the start of the next school year,” said Elisa Huss-Hage, Director, Early Childhood Education, HOPE Toledo. 

“By expanding our network of pre-K providers, more children will have access to high-quality pre-K, helping to ensure they are ready for kindergarten and poised for ongoing academic success,” she said.   

Some of the new HOPE Toledo Affiliate Providers include the YMCA, Learners for Life, Magic Moments, Sylvania Children’s Center and Sandy’s Sandbox. 

“We are thrilled to be able to join the network of HOPE Toledo Pre-K Affiliate Providers,” said Sarita and Andre’a Bills from Sandy’s Sandbox. “We are committed to meeting the HOPE Toledo Pre-K standards and completing the vetting process, so we can become a HOPE Toledo Pre-K Partner Provider, take advantage of all of the wonderful supports that comes along with it and continue providing the highest quality pre-K to our students,” they said. 

HOPE Toledo Pre-K supports high-quality, evidenced-based preschool for Toledo that includes:

• Comprehensive curriculum-led learning with the foundations of basic education, how to work in groups, and other social and behavioral skills young students need.

• Smaller classrooms, low teacher-child ratios, and full-day programs.

• Active parent engagement with families paying income-based, sliding-scale tuition, so everyone pays a fair share.

• Routine developmental assessments and preschool-to-kindergarten transition planning.

• Well-compensated, professionally trained, and supported educators.

• Support, coaching, and funding for providers to help them achieve and maintain high-quality programs. 

• High standards, regular evaluations, and oversight with accountability for programs to receive funding.

To learn more about becoming a HOPE Toledo Pre-K Affiliate Provider, contact Elisa Huss-Hage at elisa@hope-toledo.org or (419) 720-4281.