Delaware gets $7.6 million child education grant

Gov. John Carney and Secretary of Education Susan Bunting announced April 20 that Delaware has received a $7.65 million federal grant for early childhood education.

The Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grant follows a $7.24 million grant the state received in January 2015. Both grants target early learning opportunities for children from low-income families.

The first grant targeted low-income children statewide, while the new grant will focus on care options in Kent and Sussex counties.

“A high-quality early learning experience is important for all children, and research shows this is especially true for our children from low-income families. High-quality early learning yields substantial benefits for these children,” said Carney in a prepared statement.

The Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership pays for teacher education, infant-toddler classroom materials and playground equipment. The program also provides wraparound health and parent services for children from low-income families.

The grants support children from birth to age 3 years and their families being served in highly-rated Delaware Stars programs. The Delaware Department of Education is partnering with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services to support the work.

Bunting said the grant will provide more infants and toddlers in some of the state’s neediest areas.

“Families want high-quality early care and learning opportunities for their children. However, in some areas of our state there are few, if any, available options,” she said in a prepared statement.