Home Community Madison Community Foundation awards $50,000 grant to One City Schools for preschool expansion planning

Madison Community Foundation awards $50,000 grant to One City Schools for preschool expansion planning

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Madison Community Foundation awards $50,000 grant to One City Schools for preschool expansion planning
Photo: One City Schools

One City Schools has received a $50,000 grant from the Madison Community Foundation (MCF), the school announced on Wednesday, to support a comprehensive planning process for expanding its award-winning early childhood education model across the Greater Madison region.

The initiative aims to address the critical shortage of high-quality, affordable childcare in Dane County, where approximately 6,000 children currently remain on waiting lists for regulated childcare services.

“This grant represents a crucial step toward addressing the severe childcare crisis affecting families across our region,” said Kaleem Caire, founder and CEO of One City Schools, said in a statement. “With over 500 children served since 2015 at our existing preschool, we’ve demonstrated that our model works. Now, we have the opportunity to thoughtfully plan how we can serve at least 1,000 more children in the next three to five years, ensuring more families have access to the high-quality early education their children need and deserve.”

The grant will fund a feasibility study and strategic planning process led by EF International Advisors, focusing on identifying opportunities to replicate One City’s successful preschool model through partnerships with local employers and community organizations, according to a press release from One City. The five-month planning process will begin in January 2025 and conclude in May 2025. It will involve a 15-person Design Team and engage a myriad of employers and community stakeholders.

“MCF is thrilled to support this innovative initiative that brings together the school, community members, and local businesses to explore opportunities for expanding access to early learning,” said Angela Davis, director of grantmaking at the Madison Community Foundation. “This collaborative, community-centered approach not only paves the way for potential partnerships that address critical early childhood education needs but also ensures the findings will benefit other providers across the community. It’s a model of how collective effort can create lasting impact for our youngest learners and their families.”