PRE4CLE

Cleveland nonprofit PRE4CLE is asking Cleveland City Council to consider approving $5 million from the city’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for renovation of at least 25 early childhood education centers in Cleveland. But it's not clear how much success they'll have in getting that funding, with those funds quickly running out.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Matt Damschroder visited the Murtis Taylor Child Care Center at the Kathryn R. Tyler Center in Cleveland Thursday to see the impact of new upgrades to the building, paid for, in part, by the local nonprofit PRE4CLE’s Early Learning Spaces program.

Cleveland’s preschools — and families with young children — were hit hard by the pandemic, and the numbers bear that out, according to a new report from Cleveland nonprofit PRE4CLE. That means a renewed push is needed to improve preschool options and access, according to PRE4CLE's updated plan.

PRE4CLE, a Cleveland initiative to boost high-quality preschool, is raising concerns about last-minute changes approved to an appropriations bill Wednesday night in the lame-duck session of the legislature, arguing it will undermine Ohio’s childcare system.

Grant money for facilities will go toward HVAC upgrades, lead and asbestos abatement as well as layout changes and lighting improvements, the program said. Playgrounds and outdoor classrooms are also on the list of renovation priorities.