Collaborative for Children, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to early childhood education, is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with Harris County Public Library (HCPL). This collaboration aims to bring innovative learning experiences directly to families through the Collab-Lab, an advanced mobile classroom designed to foster early childhood development.
With 27 library branches spread across Harris County, HCPL is a trusted community institution. It is a natural partner for Collaborative for Children’s mission to provide high-quality early education opportunities to children ages birth to five years. The partnership will focus on expanding access to educational resources and empowering families with the tools to support their children’s learning journey.
No HISD pre-k program of those surveyed met all of NEEIR’s pre-K qualified benchmarks (average=5.2). Considering the combined number of eligible 3- and 4-year-olds living in Houston ISD, the district currently enrolls only 46% of those eligible students in pre-K. Over the last five years, the district’s enrollment has ranged from 73-88% for eligible 4-year-olds and 14-25% for eligible 3-year-olds. These statistics emphasize the pressing need to extend our efforts beyond traditional classrooms and directly into communities. As the demand for accessible early education grows in Harris County, Collaborative for Children’s Collab-Lab will bridge this educational gap and bring high-quality learning experiences where families live and thrive.
“At Collaborative for Children, our commitment to creating wonder and enriching the lives of young children aligns perfectly with Harris County Public Library’s dedication to community engagement and early literacy,” said Dr. Melanie Johnson, President and CEO of Collaborative for Children. “We are excited to join forces to make a meaningful impact on children’s lives and ensure that every child has a strong foundation for lifelong learning.”
The Collab-Lab, a state-of-the-art mobile classroom, will visit HCPL branches during their Growing Readers times. This initiative is part of HCPL’s acclaimed early literacy program, Growing Readers, which encompasses various activities and resources designed to promote family and community interaction for child development. Collaborative for Children’s Collab-Lab will provide hands-on learning experiences for young children and parents, fostering a love for learning in an engaging and interactive environment.
As part of the partnership, Collab-Lab will also be at HCPL’s Fiesta on September 16 from 1 PM to 4 PM. The Fiesta, celebrating Hispanic Heritage, will be held at LaPorte Branch Library and feature community performances, crafts, and activities. The inclusion of Collab-Lab aligns with Collaborative for Children’s mission to provide diverse and enriching experiences to children of all backgrounds.
This collaboration with HCPL highlights Collaborative for Children’s dedication to offering early childhood education beyond traditional classroom settings. By bringing the Collab-Lab to library branches, families across Harris County can access cutting-edge educational resources and activities that promote cognitive, social, and emotional development in young children.
About Collaborative for Children
Collaborative for Children believes every child deserves high-quality early childhood education and access to innovative early learning opportunities that foster critical 21st-century skills. For over 35 years, we have provided families and educators with business resources and programming to help children ages 0 to 5 achieve school readiness. We are unyielding in our focus on delivering early educational equity for all children. Today’s children face a workforce that does not yet exist, and early learning is the building block of future leaders. We are architects, using our collective ingenuity to usher in a future bright with possibilities for every child. For information, visit collabforchildren.org or follow us on Facebook @collaborativeforchildren
About HCPL
The Harris County Public Library (HCPL) mission is to provide information and resources to enrich lives and strengthen communities. The library has an annual circulation of over 10 million items and is a network of 27 community-focused branch libraries and is committed to providing excellent customer service, diverse collections, and equitable access. Visit www.hcpl.net/ for more information or follow @harriscountypl on social media