Milwaukee organizations celebrate National Week of the Young Child, promoting early childhood education

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Monday marked the start of a several-day-long celebration meant to bring awareness to Milwaukee's child care and learning resources.

Milwaukee organizations gathered to support Week of the Young Child, a national event focused on the importance of early childhood education.

They need to know that there are places and spaces for their kids to go and to be and to get quality education, but I also think they need to know that there is a need for even more of that to happen," said Vincent Lyles, executive director of Milwaukee Succeeds.

Milwaukee Succeeds leads the Milwaukee Early Childhood Education Coalition. This is the second year they've hosted a resource fair in the Bronzeville neighborhood to kick off Week of the Young Child.

The event helps spread awareness about the city's several early childhood centers and highlights the importance of early education for children's development.

It also opens discussions about what the city needs to bolster those services.

"We are all short-staffed, so we are just so encouraging to people to join the early education field, just because it's so rewarding," said Andrea Austin, early education director at COA Burke Early Education Center.

"High quality early childhood education matters, and we can absolutely make it accessible and affordable for all," said Tamara Johnson, executive director at Malaka Early Learning Center.

Several events are scheduled throughout Milwaukee to celebrate Week of the Young Child.

Click here to see the schedule.