It was a momentous day at Springfield Technical Community College. On Monday morning, they announced the opening of an HCS Headstart early childhood program on campus.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – It was a momentous day at Springfield Technical Community College. On Monday morning, they announced the opening of an HCS Headstart early childhood program on campus.
STCC is the first community college in western Massachusetts to host a Head Start center on its campus. By initiating this program they hope to take the guesswork out of finding accessible childcare for students.
“Childcare is very expensive and Headstart is an affordable way to be able to not only find care for your child but also prepare your child for kindergarten,” said Nicole Blais, CEO of HCS Headstart.
“Affordable and childcare are two things that go hand-in-hand to have it on campus take some of the guest work out of the logistics,” mentioned President of STCC, John Cook.
This Head Start program will have two classrooms one for infants and toddlers and a preschool program. Providing both accessible childcare and workforce development opportunities for students.
“This is a great childcare program for them so they’re going in attending classes, they can bring their children here and if they want to do an internship in one of our classes, that’s what we’re here for,” said Mahera Chirizio, Director of Education for HCS Headstart.
This partnership is meant to create a pipeline for employment opportunities for future early childhood educators.