YMCA Early Learning Readiness Program Summary
Establishing a multi-lateral partnership to help the YMCA of the Chesapeake bring in the Early Learning Readiness Program to Dorchester County, MD
- Providing multi-year pilot grant to fund the cost of (and bring to Dorchester County) the evidence-based YMCA ELRP program
- Working with New Beginnings residential complex to secure a suitable community center location to run the program
- Assisting with the development and measurement of performance indicators to ensure positive outcomes
- Will transition program funding to the YMCA in Year 4 to ensure sustainability
Measures of Performance
For more information, please see Data Analysis section at the bottom of the page
End of Program
Data Analysis
1. Goal: To pilot the YMCA’s Early Learning Readiness Program (ELRP) within an economically disadvantaged community in need of access to early childhood supports and services.
2. The ELRP program was designed to bring families/caregivers and their children, birth to 5, into a community-based facility in partnership with the YMCA. The YMCA then offers these families parent/caregiver training and developmental work with their children to help prepare for school and improve social emotional learning.
3. The program is offered half-days, twice per week during the school year, and requires parent or caregiver participation alongside their child(ren).
4. The program sought to bring in a total of 12 families/children, with most or all of them economically disadvantaged.
5. At the end our third and final year, the program assessed several measures:
- Our goal was 12 children. As of program close, we had a consistent 5 children participating, earning a “red” score. While the program had as many as 13 children, 5-7 total children at any point in the 3-year project appeared to be the most consistent participation number. We did begin to see smaller numbers in the 3rd One reason, which is a good indicator, was the number of other programs offering early childcare has increased in Dorchester County. A second Judy Center launched in 2023, in addition to two more DCPS PreK3 classrooms, which provided families additional access options.
- We had a goal of ensuring our participating families showed up at least 80% of the time, to qualify as having been “high-attending” families. At program close, we hit 80% attendance, earning a “green” health score. While attendance did vary over the 3 years, we believe the families were consistent enough, over time, to maximize the value of the program offerings.
- We sought to have at least 50% of our students reaching the benchmark cutoff scores for 3 out of 5 measures of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). At program end, 100% of our children were at or above the benchmark, earning a “green” health score.
- We also sought to have 100% of families identified with a developmental challenge to receive a referral for 3rd party support. At program end, we achieved 100% receiving the referral, earning a “green.”
6. We administered and scored twos qualitative satisfaction surveys (fall 2023 and spring 2024) – with a goal of 80% satisfaction – for our families that will help inform us of ways to improve the program to get even better results. Our baseline survey scored 100% satisfaction, earning a “green” score.
7. Lastly, the long-term sustainment goal was met as the YMCA will continue to offer the ELRP using non-J2W funds moving forward.
8. To close, this program worked well for the families that participated. That said, it has limited scope but still offers another choice for families with children not attending other daycare programming.