Collaborative Approach Targets Preschool Enrollment in Lorain

"Our children are our future" isn't just a saying at Lorain City Schools—it's a guiding principle that drove an important meeting Monday morning. District leaders welcomed community preschool providers for a discussion on how to ensure every Lorain child has access to quality early education — together.

The gathering addressed a challenging reality: according to the Child Care Resource Center, approximately 1,500 three- and four-year-olds in Lorain were not enrolled in any early childhood program two years ago. Even more concerning, nearly half of the children entering Lorain kindergarten classrooms over the past three years arrived without preschool experience.

"When we look out across our city, we know we have work to do with hundreds of unserved families," shared Ross May, associate superintendent. "The more we can thrive together, the more our kids can thrive. For any of us to think we can do it alone is just not what the research shows. There is a lot of good work for all of us to do — together."

This spirit of collaboration was at the heart of Monday's discussion, led by Sandra DeRivero, Community Preschool Support Specialist, and Alisha Pardon, Associate Director of Preschool. 

The meeting brought together more than three dozen professionals to hear the district's goal of ensuring every child in Lorain has access to quality early education in their neighborhood and enters kindergarten with the appropriate developmental skills.

Despite having 77 registered providers across the city, including 10 preschool programs in district schools, many families have yet to connect with available services. The district wants to change that narrative — not by competing for students but by empowering community providers.

Providers across Lorain offer high-quality programs, yet too many families remain unaware of available options. Monday's discussion focused on bridging that gap.

India Santiago, recently promoted to director at Loving Cup Kids Academy, shared challenges familiar to many providers. 

"It's so hard to find good teachers, especially for daycares," Santiago said. Her preschool classroom currently serves six children, with dreams of expanding to 12.

Denise Bryant, the director of Small Scholars University on North Ridge Road, spoke passionately about public perception. 

"We are not highly educated babysitters," Bryant said. "I'm doing the same thing as district programs. We need to help parents see who we really are."

The district leaders in the room acknowledged these challenges. They emphasized that the district's goal is to elevate all early learning options for families, not just those within Lorain City Schools.

The vision for a stronger support network came through in suggestions from Isis Lovett of Neighborhood Alliance, who imagined centers with waiting lists confidently referring families to centers with room to grow—creating a web of care across the community.

Lorain City Schools is committed to supporting this network through DeRivero, which bridges the district and community providers. She offers professional development and curriculum support. With the backing of the Lorain Public Library, DeRivero has also created 20 "kindergarten-readiness boxes" that providers can borrow. These boxes are treasure chests of learning materials that enrich everything from math concepts and motor skills to social development.

The district isn't shy about the challenges ahead. Funding remains a significant hurdle for private centers, which depend on tuition or public vouchers available only to working parents or those in school. 

Pardon shared that the district has been advocating with state legislators for a universal preschool scholarship program that could transform access for all families.

The district's commitment runs deep. Lorain City Schools invests heavily through general fund expenses, believing strongly in the value early education brings to Lorain's future.

With only 400 spots available in district preschool programs, officials emphasized they simply cannot — and do not want to—accommodate all unserved children alone. The future of Lorain's youngest learners depends on strong community partnerships and a shared vision.

Research affirms what many educators already know: children with early education experiences are more likely to read at grade level by third grade, and accessible centers correlate with higher rates of family employment and stability.

District leaders stressed that this initiative isn't just about kindergarten readiness—it's about ensuring every child in Lorain has access to high-quality early learning experiences regardless of where they enroll.