As we reflect on 2023 and anticipate the arrival of 2024 -- and for our Chinese families, the coming of the Year of the Dragon in February-- let's recommit to supporting and advocating for access to high-quality learning for every child. Doing so will assure a brighter future for all of us.

Children’s Village is only one of two programs to receive a 2023 Welcoming Award for Education Excellence from the City of Philadelphia Office of Immigrant Affairs! We earned this honor for the support, guidance, and respect we offer to all children and families into our early education and child care programs

The Philadelphia Inquirer has an article about our chefs Matt Ferry and Stephanie Chisholm and their 400 tiny food critics.  This article is an extension to the one this reporter wrote back in August about Chidren’s Village's commitment to preparing fresh, nutritious food for our students.  

Students reveled in the magic of mixing cornstarch with water, creating colorful bubble-painting masterpieces, building robotic arms, and more--all part of our School-Age Program’s recent Lights on Afterschool celebration.

"We applaud United Way for prioritizing early learning as a core strategy to resolve the entrenched challenge of poverty. High-quality early education promotes academic and lifelong success, truly helping to level the playing field for children from diverse backgrounds," says Mary Graham, Executive Director, Children’s Village.

Please take time NOW to contact your state and federal legislators. Tell them to invest in child care—so children, families, and communities can thrive. Share your story. Nothing makes more of an impact than hearing from voters.

‘The federal government kicked in nearly $40 billion in 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to keep the nation’s fragile child care system afloat during the pandemic. Now, that support is set to run out at the end of this month. ‘ Click to read the full article.

Children’s Village’s chef Matt Ferry and his Nutrition Program team prepare and serve our students healthy, fresh, and delicious meals every day! High-quality nutrition is just as important as high-quality curriculum, underscoring our belief in supporting healthy bodies and healthy minds. We’ve posted a link to the The Philadelphia Inquirer article that highlights our exceptional Nurtition Program!

Teacher Crystal Hand shared her insight in recruitment videos for Arkansas Early Childhood Association’s (AECA) newly launched T.E.A.C.H. Apprenticeship Program.

T.E.A.C.H. offers early childhood professionals a debt-free higher education, supporting them while they work to become stronger teachers and earn thriving wages. Children’s Village is proud that teachers Jazmyn and Jha’Nyse Lundy-Reid are featured in PACCA’s Voice in the Field series. Follow the link to learn about their exceptional academic careers and how T.E.A.C.H. impacted their professional path.

Children's Village recently welcomed PNC volunteers, who led read alouds, seed plantings, and other activities to celebrate the 19th anniversary of the PNC Grow Up Great® initiative.

The PA Senate passed a state budget with NO NEW FUNDING to invest in the child care workforce! Tell Governor Shapiro and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to invest in the workforce behind the workforce. It only takes a moment to make a lasting difference.

We are especially honored to highlight several of our teachers who have advanced their education and earned degrees this past academic year!

Children’s Village recently presented hand-crafted Excellent Friend Award certificates to 15 very special families – those among the first to return when we reopened in July 2020 after the mandated pandemic closure and who remain with us today.

Rebuilding Enrollment and Reaffirming Our 45-Year Commitment to Children and Families
This period marked continued tumult but Children’s Village was buoyed by the joyful learning taking place in our classrooms and by the support of our donors and advocates!

We encourage you to raise your voice in support of NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) Book—and affirm that every child has the right to equitable learning opportunities. Time is of the essence!

In Philadelphia, only 17% of the city’s fourth-graders are proficient in reading and a third of children live in poverty. The Kids’ Campaign will share with voting parents and young adults the information they need to determine which candidate running for Mayor will keep Philly’s children safe. LEARN MORE!

Read alouds featuring literature that uplifts diversity and inclusion, a free book for every student to take home, and an array of resources to ignite a lifelong love of reading are among the activities at Children’s Village celebrating Read Across America week.

“….There’s been a staffing shortage for years that accelerated during the pandemic, forcing providers to close classrooms or shut their doors. Families who cannot find childcare are forced to give up jobs to stay home with their kids. Worst of all, when children do not have the social and preliteracy preparation provided by quality childcare, they start their K-12 journey behind and sometimes never catch up.” Read more of Eleanor Levies’ Letter to the Editor and take action today!

“In the child care sector, unfortunately, it is rare to have an on-site lending library. Even more remarkable is having a high-caliber professional like Denise Ellis leading it," says Mary Graham, Children's Village, Executive Director. Learn about the ways Ms. Ellis and Children’s Village teachers are nurturing an early and lasting love of stories.

Following our recent accreditation with exceptional scores, NAEYC's Alissa Mwenelupembe, Managing Director of Early Learning, and Susan Friedman, Senior Director, Publishing & Content, visited Children’s Village to observe our program. (above) The tour included a visit to a Toddler Program classroom, led by teacher Millie Diaz, a Children’s Village teacher for 21 years.

Children’s Village’s Executive Director Mary Graham moderated a panel discussion for the invitation-only The Business Case for Child Care event co-hosted by the PA Early Learning Investment Commission and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on December 13.

As we look ahead to 2023, I am hopeful because every day, I see a hopeful future in the faces of our young students. 

I am also hopeful because of you. Read Executive Director’s Mary Graham’s message!

Children’s Village is commited to ensuring every child’s academic success and an essential aspect of our approach is providing young children with a sense of belonging. We are honored to be featured in Chalkbeat Philadelphia’s 2022 Philadelphia Early Childhood Education Guide for our culturally and linguistically inclusive practices.

Children's Village has again earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children. NAEYC accreditation is the benchmark of early learning excellence and we achieved the distinction with flying colors!

Children’s Village recently hosted Sean Perkins, Chief of Early Childhood Education, City of Philadelphia, and other PHLpreK representatives from the Office of Children and Families (OCF) for a tour. PHLpreK’s November 2022 newsletter featured expert tips from Mary Graham, Executive Director, Children’s Village. Click to read the section of the newsletter that shared Ms. Graham’s insight!

Children’s VIllage’s Executive Director Mary Graham shares her perspective on our current outlook — and it is looking brighter! We are here today because of your commitment. Your continued support and advocacy will ensure that we impact the lives of young learners and their families for years to come.

VOTER REGISTRATION REMINDER! Monday, October 24, 2022 is the last day to register before the November 8, 2022 elections! Join other child care advocates!

School-Age Program students recently transformed the 6th floor hallway into an art gallery to showcase their artwork, which was inspired by weeks of study of famous artists, including Vincent Van Gogh, Edvard Munch, and Frida Kahlo.

Raise your voice by registering to vote, checking the status of your registration, and learning about your candidates’ stance on child care and preschool issues! Click to learn how!