Loving Giving Local: Early Connections, Inc.

For over 125 years, Early Connections has provided high-quality child care to erie children 6 weeks up to school age

The program offers six locations throughout the city and county, all providing a safe quality environment for children while parents are at work.

At this age, children learn best through high-quality play.

“Quality play is so very important for our little ones. They need to be prepared for kindergarten and our teachers are skilled and qualified and ready to help them,” said Michelle Harkins, executive director.

Daryl Dambaugh is the site director at the city center, located at Seventh and State streets, where about 40 children come every day.

“We’re teaching basic social-emotional developmental skills and everything. They work their way up to the ABCs and 123s and make sure they are ready for kindergarten when they get there,” Dambaugh said.

There are multiple funding streams that make Early Connections available to all parents. This week’s Loving Giving Local donation will be used for transportation.

“All our donations are going to purchase a van. We need to purchase a van to transport the most needy children to our centers every day,” said Dambaugh.

“We all know the early years are the most important years. Early Connections does a great job providing a great service for our community, and that’s what Loving Giving Local is all about,” said Joe Askins, sponsor, Auto Express Resale Center.

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