Milwaukee Y expands early education and before-and after-school programs

MILWAUKEE -- The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee has expanded its early childhood as well as before-and after-school programs. This means hundreds more children can take advantage of the services.

Three-year-old Olivia Shaw has been enrolled in the early childhood education program at the Milwaukee Y since she was four-months-old.

"Being able to know your ABC's by the age of one and be able to count to 10 and now she's counting to 30, those sorts of things are very important," said Olivia's mother, Bianca Shaw.

Thanks to a federal Early Head Start grant, nearly 400 more kids will be able to do the same.

"Families need a safe place for their children and they want that learning and that enrichment occurring," said Christine Larson, association director for early childhood at YMCA.

The Milwaukee Y partnered with Next Door, an established early education provider in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Y is one of 11 organizations benefiting from the grant -- $4.8 million annually over five years.

The YMCA's Northwest location has a pretty big playground, but what this grant allows them to do is expand it even more. This entire area is going to have upgraded equipment, rubberized flooring and a fenced off space for infants and toddlers.

Some money also goes towards teacher training.

"We are working on getting higher credentials for a lot of teaching staff in the programs. We are doing a lot of training and professional development," said Myranda Syrjanen with Next Door.