PHMC’s Philadelphia Early Learning Instructional Excellence Initiative, known as the Curriculum Fund, recently received a grant from the William Penn Foundation to support an additional 40 early childhood programs.
The Curriculum Fund, operating since 2019 with funding from the William Penn Foundation, is a grantmaking program that works to improve the quality of early learning instruction in Philadelphia by increasing the use and implementation of research-supported curriculum materials.
Program Senior Director MaryKay Mahar says many child care providers are tasked with creating excellent early learning experiences without access to sufficient curricula resources. The Curriculum Fund provides funding and support for early childhood centers to purchase and implement curriculum materials and related professional development.
The program’s support of an additional 40 early childhood programs over the next three years will result in an increase of at least 1,050 high-quality early learning seats in the City of Philadelphia.
“We are grateful to the William Penn Foundation for continuing an investment in these critical resources,” MaryKay said. “The investment allows participating providers to meaningfully select and implement evidence-based curriculum materials, removing initial financial barriers. As a result, more families will be able to choose high-quality programs for their young children.”
Congratulations to MaryKay and her team, including Rachel Gambino, ECE Quality Initiatives Director, and Jennifer Sroka, ECE Workforce Special Projects Manager, who have been integral in overseeing and implementing the Curriculum Fund since it started.
