Early childhood education study identifies future challenges

By Greg Lindberg

West Lafayette has long been recognized for its commitment to education and community welfare. With considerable population growth in the past decade and no signs of slowing down, West Lafayette officials hired Augenblick, Palaich and Associates (APA Consulting) to conduct a comprehensive study on the early childhood needs in the West Lafayette community.

The study was made possible through funding from the next round of the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 2.0). According to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) website, Greater Lafayette’s proposal themes included, “growing regional population in both rural and urban areas by focused in- vestment at Purdue University to support the growing semiconductor industry in Indiana.”

The READI proposal also includes, “supporting a concentrated effort to retain and develop talent and attracting new workers to the region through investments in housing, quality of place and community vibrancy, the development of parks and trails, and investments in arts and culture.”

APA Consulting’s analysis of the needs and challenges faced by young children and their families was presented to the West Lafayette City Council in May. The study provides critical insights into how the city can better support early development and educational outcomes.

Jenifer Van Schuyver, director of development for the City of West

Lafayette, is leading efforts based on results of the study. “The West Lafayette Redevelopment Commission commissioned this study in anticipation of potential new industry in the area (SK hynix plus complementary industry),” Van Schuyver says.

“And the anticipation to recruit a qualified workforce and ensure our community is a community of choice when it comes to quality care before the age of five.”

Van Schuyver adds, “The study included the West Lafayette Community School Corp. boundaries and three elementary schools within the Tippecanoe School Corp.: Klondike, Battleground, and Burnett Creek – all of which serve the west and northern sections of the City of West Lafayette.

Key areas addressed in the study include access to quality childcare, early education programs, health and nutrition, family support services and inclusivity and diversity. The study highlights a significant demand for high-quality childcare services. Many parents in West Lafayette struggle to find affordable and accessible childcare options. This lack of availability affects working families the most, leading to financial strain and limited employment opportunities for parents, particularly mothers.

There is a clear need for more robust early education programs.

While some high-quality preschools and early learning centers exist, they are often at capacity, and waiting lists are long. The study suggests that expanding these programs could have a profound impact on children’s readiness for kindergarten.

The report indicates that high-quality early education can increase high school graduation by 6% and increase college attendance and graduation rates somewhere between 5 and 8.6%. Additionally, Van Schuyver compares the overall numbers from the study to an earli- er study in Tippecanoe County that specified, “that there were about 5,000 additional slots needed for early childhood education within the area, and the results from APA Consulting indicated that the city needed between 75 and 125 of those slots.”

“I do feel that is low, but the reality is it’s very difficult for families to get into the West Lafayette Community School Corp. district due to the lack of available single-family housing,” explains Van Schuyver. “The study captured current need and could not anticipate growth from major economic development drivers in the community – such as SK hynix. So while we feel our future need will be much higher than those 75 to 125 slots, we should consider future growth and demand.”

Nutrition and health services are another concern. The study found that many families do not have adequate access to nutritional guidance or healthcare for their young children. Initiatives aimed at improving access to healthy foods and routine health checkups could greatly benefit these families.

The presentation pointed out the social, health and behavioral benefits of long-term education, including decreased juvenile incarceration and improved health outcomes that will lower health care costs. The need for comprehensive family support services was a recurrent theme. Families expressed a need for better access to resources such as parenting classes, mental health services, and support groups. These services are essential for building a supportive community environment that fosters the well-being of young children.

When it comes to housing, West Lafayette expects development down the road that will “increase the number of available units provided to potential young families,” says Van Schuyver. “Housing and early childhood education are so intrinsi- cally linked that the sense of where to provide services and how many slots to anticipate is a difficult number to capture – throw in economic drivers such as business and industry, and you’re looking at how to capture professionals who wish to have a family and a career, and making sure there is opportunity and choice in quality early childhood education/care for those who need and want that.”

In order to secure these services, the report states that the key aspects to consider include involvement and support from the community, investment in the long-term benefits, focus on quality, and the ability to “minimize teacher turnover and enhance program stability.”

Ensuring that early childhood programs are inclusive and cater to the diverse population of West Lafayette is crucial. The study emphasizes the importance of cultural competence in early childhood education and the need for programs that reflect the community’s diversity.

“We did expect to see a suggested location for an initial center, and APA Consulting identified that children under five (according to the census) are located north of town, and a study provided to parents at those elementary schools, indicated they were interested in an initial center being located near Klondike,”

Van Schuyver explains.

“Based on available property and of course the location of our community wellness center, we do believe the northside of town between both of our incredible award-winning school districts is the best place to consider building an initial facility,” she adds.

Based on these findings, the study offers several recommendations for local policymakers and community leaders, including expanding childcare facilities, enhancing early education programs, improving health and nutrition services, supporting family services and promoting inclusivity.

Other findings from the report include:

• Increasing the number of affordable childcare centers and ensuring they are geographically distributed to serve all neighborhoods will be critical. Public-private partnerships could be explored to fund and manage these expansions.

• Investing in early childhood education programs and providing professional development for educators will help improve the quality of early education. Grants and subsidies could be used to support low-income families’ access to these programs.

• Collaborations with local health departments and food programs can help provide better nutrition and health services. Community health fairs, nutrition workshops, and free or low-cost health clinics can address these needs.

• Establishing more family resource centers and offering a wider range of services can help meet the diverse needs of families. Providing these services in multiple languages and ensuring they are accessible to all can enhance their effectiveness.

• Training for educators on cultural competence and inclusivity can ensure that all children feel welcome and supported. Developing curricula that reflect various cultures and backgrounds also can help in this regard.

The recent study on early childhood needs in West Lafayette underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to early childhood education and care. By addressing the gaps in childcare, early education, health, nutrition, family support and inclusivity, the city can create a nurturing environment that supports the development and well-being of its youngest residents. These efforts will not only benefit the children but also strengthen the community, fostering a brighter future for West Lafayette.

As for next steps, Van Schuyver says, “We are still waiting for the final report with the literature review, but we’re excited to have state laws consolidated, suggestions for funding early childhood education, best practices from other communities who are doing quality care well, and having a cost calculator to look at the cost of programs, whether that’s having an evening, weekend, or early morning options for families. I do think we need to have more robust conversations around employer contribution and inclusion into this conversation.”

Van Schuyver concludes, “These sentiments were conveyed during the forum [in May].”

The forum agenda/video is located at: westlafayette.granicus.com ★