Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman says the city has launched the first phase of a program providing early childhood education in pre-K centers.
The Columbus City School district will identify nine elementary schools that can host programs for Early Start Columbus. The city set aside 5 million dollars in this year's budget for pre-K expansion. The city is dedicating 3.4 million in the first phase to nine providers offering early childhood education to between 350 and 400 children. Those interested in enrolling a 4-year-old in Early Start Columbus should contact Action for Children or visit their website. According to the Ohio Department of Education, 85 percent of a child's brain development takes place by the age of 5 -- and young children exposed to high-quality education settings exhibit better language, math, and social skills. Coleman calls early childhood education the best investment the community can make.