GCSC to expand pre-K program through $52,200 grant from PCCF

The Putnam County Community Foundation presents a $52,200 grant to Greencastle Community School Corporation at Deer Meadow Primary School Thursday morning. GCSC officials will use the grant funds to open two additional preschool classrooms and serve 40-45 more students. Those in attendance include (from left) Deer Meadow Principal Brittany Cooper, Deer Meadow preschool facilitator Rachel Neumann, GCSC Supt. Jeff Gibboney, Deer Meadow preschool facilitator Adrenia Waugh, PCCF President Marianne Savage, PCCF President; Deer Meadow preschool facilitator Lisa Taylor, PCCF Director of Donor and Grantee Services Jenny Neureiter, Deer Meadow preschool teacher Kari Schimpf, PCCF Community Development Director Dean Gambill, GCSC Asst. Supt. Becky McPherson and PCCF Executive Director Neysa Meyer.

Courtesy photo/PCCF

The Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) on Thursday present a $52,200 grant to Greencastle Community School Corporation to support the expansion of its preschool program, providing resources to open two additional high-quality classrooms serving an additional 40-45 students from Putnam County.

The grant announcement comes following the 2023 Community Needs Assessment and the recent closure of another local preschool, which included the loss of approximately 70 preschool seats.

PCCF hopes this grant will begin to address the urgent need of Putnam County families in the wake of losing such a significant community asset while also addressing a pressing issue.

According to data gathered in PCCF’s 2023 Community Needs Assessment, access to affordable, high-quality early care and education opportunities is a significant concern to residents. Putnam County has just eight childcare programs participating in Indiana’s quality rating system, Paths to Quality, three of which are rated high quality. Childcare programs must complete the Paths to Quality certification to provide free care through Child Care Development Funds and On My Way Pre-K vouchers.

High-quality early care and education programs also create long-lasting positive outcomes for children and their families. Research has shown that children who participate in these programs have enhanced cognitive outcomes and are more prepared for school. These outcomes from early childhood have a long-lasting impact on adulthood.

With additional funding from PCCF, Greencastle Community School Corporation plans to complete the Paths to Quality certification, allowing them to accept childcare vouchers and provide high quality early education to more students.

“Our goal is to expand our current GCSC preschool services to include additional full day options and to offer free preschool services for qualifying families living in Putnam County,” GCSC Asst. Supt. Becky McPherson said. “To offer free services our preschool program must obtain a Level 3 or higher rating through Paths to Quality, and this grant award is a huge step toward that goal.

“We are so grateful for this partnership with the Putnam County Community Foundation. By providing us with the necessary funds, we will be able to significantly enhance our learning environment and accommodate more students, ultimately supporting our goal of delivering a high-quality and affordable education for preschool children in Putnam County.”

While this grant addresses only a small part of the larger issue of local childcare, PCCF is excited to be a part of this work and will continue to explore other ways to support local early care and education providers.

“From our research, we know that Putnam County’s capacity to serve young children is ranked 75th in Indiana out of 92 counties,” PCCF Executive Director Neysa Meyer said. “Our Board is invested in improving that standing, and we hope that our partnership with Greencastle Community School Corporation’s pre-K program is a valuable first step to do so.”

For additional information about PCCF’s grants, the 2023 Community Needs Assessment or other opportunities at the Putnam County Community Foundation, persons may contact Sarah Stone at sstone@pcfoundation.org or call the office at 653-4978.