GREAT FALLS, Mont. — The Great Falls College Early Learning Center has received a $10,000 grant from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Early Childhood Account Board to purchase educational equipment and supplies as the center expands its capacity to serve infants and toddlers.
The funding will help the Early Learning Center create safe, developmentally appropriate spaces designed specifically for its youngest children while providing educators with the equipment and materials needed to support early learning and development.
“Expanding our infant and toddler capacity means creating spaces that are safe, flexible and designed around how young children learn and grow,” said Kelly Chadbourne, Early Learning Center director. “This funding will allow us to provide our educators with the tools they need while creating an environment where children can explore, play and develop.”
The Early Learning Center opened this fall as a way for Great Falls College students to be able to arrange occasional care for their children and for students in the college’s Early Childhood Education program to apply what they are learning in the program in a real-world setting under the supervision of experienced early childhood education professionals. The center also helps fill a critical need in the community as it is open to the general public as well.
The largest portion of the grant will support play and development equipment and learning materials. The materials will support sensory exploration, early language development, problem-solving, fine and gross motor development and social-emotional growth.
Additional funds will support storage and classroom organization materials, including baskets for toys, sensory materials, books and other learning resources. Accessible storage will help educators maintain organized, functional classrooms while allowing children to choose and explore materials and, as they develop, participate in classroom cleanup.
The remaining money will support additional classroom panels to complement the center already has. The panels will allow educators to create flexible, defined spaces and appropriate play areas within classrooms while supporting active supervision and safe movement. They also will allow classroom layouts to change as the needs and developmental abilities of children change.
Grant funding may also be used for equipment associated with infant and toddler care, including cribs and other sleep-area supplies, changing tables and diapering supplies, highchairs and feeding equipment, safety and childproofing supplies and low shelving and cubbies.
The grant supports the Early Learning Center’s effort to expand its infant and toddler capacity while ensuring classrooms are equipped to provide safe, engaging and developmentally appropriate environments for children.
Reach out to the Early Learning Center at 406-315-8600 or [email protected] or learn more at www.gfcmsu.edu/early-learning-center.