Center for Nontraditional Early Learning and Child Care (CNELCC)

High quality, affordable early learning and childcare is widely recognized as a necessary support for workforce development and has become an issue of great importance to regional and state economies. Generating billions in gross receipts and employing thousands of people, the industry for early learning and childcare impacts the current and future economic health of our nation.

However, in this important industry, there exists a silent crisis. In a survey by the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare (CCRD Philadelphia Profile 2000), 59 percent of the early learning and child-care providers responding indicated that the greatest barrier to quality childcare is the availability of well-trained staff. These findings were supported with research performed by Richard J. Fiene (Penn State's Harrisburg's Capital Area Early Childhood Training Institute) which revealed a strong positive relationship between caregiver's education and quality and higher wages and quality. Low wages contribute to high turnover; and in this industry, turnover hurts young children who need to form strong attachments to their teachers since they are separated from their parent or parents for hours at a time on a daily basis.

ABO Haven, Inc. is addressing this and other challenges that face the child-care industry through via the Center for Nontraditional Early Learning and Child Care (CNELCC). Located at 1010 Spring Garden - adjacent to Center City - the model is increasing capacity in the Greater Philadelphia Region for early learning and childcare through an improved delivery system.

Soon to be operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the CNELCC provides a value-added package of supportive services (supplies and nutritional requirements) that are targeted towards children and their parents (referral services, child-care advice, training, job readiness, placement, and case management). Housed in an 18,200 square-foot facility, webcams will allow parents to access real-time observation of their children from remote locations. A child-friendly environment promotes the notion of ensuring the physical and emotional safety of the children. Design standards for quality are based on Keystone Stars Child Care Quality Initiative.

Over time, the CNELCC will build capacity and set new standards for affordable, quality early learning and childcare in the Greater Philadelphia region.