Friends of Meadowlark - Meadowlark Community Preschool

Help us provide high quality early care and education for infants and young children in Los Angeles!

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OUR MISSION

Friends of Meadowlark Community Preschool is a nonprofit organization based in Inglewood, California. Our mission is to build strong, empowered, and informed families and communities by supporting educational programs, classroom resources, family engagement, and community initiatives for children and families at Meadowlark Community Preschool & Infant Center and throughout the greater Inglewood community.

OUR PURPOSE

Friends of Meadowlark exists because we believe the earliest years of a child’s life are the most important. Early childhood education has the power to change the trajectory of a child’s future. Research shows that children who lack consistent early care and education are more likely to enter kindergarten with developmental delays, struggle with attendance and engagement in elementary school, and fall behind academically in ways that persist through high school. They also go on to earn 20–40% less than peers who had consistent early childcare. Yet across the research, one factor consistently determines whether these positive outcomes materialize: the quality of the program itself — including teacher training, curriculum, a nurturing environment and family involvement. This is why Friends of Meadowlark was created: to give the children of Inglewood and Los Angeles access to the highest quality early childhood experience, equipping them with the personal and academic skills to fulfill their potential and lead happy, productive lives.

Friends of Meadowlark is a 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax deductible.

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OUR PROGRAMS

Friends of Meadowlark provides programming for the families, caregivers and children of Meadowlark Community Preschool & Infant Center and enables families in Inglewood to have access to high quality infant care to preschool.

Our work is organized around 6 pillars:

Parent/Guardian Education

Our parent/guardian education programs ensure every caregiver understands effective parenting practices in the context of their own culture and background and feels the connection to a support network of parenting and child development professionals and other parents. A good foundation of learning builds in parents a natural desire to see and understand their child and seek ways to best support their healthy development.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance gives families access to high quality childcare as soon as they need it from age 3 months – 5 years. We know that the earlier a child is in quality care, the better the outcomes as children progress through the school system. Our tuition assistance program is open to all families and is provided as needed as long as funding is available.

Enrichment

When children are participating in our enrichment programs, they are building new connections in the brain, supporting their physical and mental well being, and developing skills in areas that many children particularly connect with such as music, dance, sports and gardening. Providing a wide range of enrichment programs enables every child to find their passion and feel good about their abilities and skills.

Teacher Professional Development

Studies have shown a direct correlation between the quality of the teachers a child has in their early years and their success, happiness and productivity as an adult. Through professional development workshops, ECE classes, a mentoring program, our teachers have the opportunity to continue their learning and understand best practices for working with young children.

Early Intervention

Funding for early intervention therapies means that we are able identify and address developmental delays early, and connect families to speech, occupational, or behavioral health services before children reach kindergarten. Studies show that addressing delays and challenges early can change the trajectory of a child’s educational journey and life giving them the support they need to reach their full potential.

Community Outreach

Our reach goes beyond the walls of a preschool. Our community programs extend the benefits of our work to all Inglewood families. Every program builds community and connection, access to learning and education and opportunities for young children and their families to learn together, grow together and be together – essential building blocks for a child’s educational and life success.

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