Author Archive

2023 State of Early Childhood in Southington

Posted on June 8th, 2023

On June 7, 2023, the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington hosted their annual “State of Early Childhood in Southington” presentation and breakfast. Thirty-two people attended representing the Southington Public School district, elected officials, businesses, non-profit organizations, funders, ECCS board members, childcare providers, healthcare, Parent Ambassadors and other parents. Joanne Kelleher, Executive Director of the ECCS, […]

State of Early Childhood in Southington 2022

Posted on June 1st, 2022

On June 1, 2022, the ECCS hosted their annual “State of Early Childhood in Southington” presentation and breakfast. Over 30 people attended representing the Southington Public School district, elected officials, businesses, non-profit organizations, funders, board members, childcare providers, healthcare and parents. The focus of the meeting was to discuss parent engagement and the results of […]

ECCS Receives Funding from Stocker Foundation

Posted on May 13th, 2022

This press release was issued May 12, 2022. Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington Receives Funding from Stocker Foundation The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington (ECCS) recently received funding from The Stocker Foundation. This grant supports the ECCS’ Developing Early Literacy and Kindergarten Readiness in Southington’s Young Children program during the 2022-2023 school year. The initiatives […]

ECCS Testimony to State Legislature 2-25-2022

Posted on March 1st, 2022

On February 25, 2022, Joanne Kelleher, Director of Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington, submitted this testimony to members of the State legislature on SB 2 AN ACT EXPANDING PRESCHOOL AND MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN. Learn more about this bill on the CT General Assembly site. You can read a summary of the testimony […]

James G. Williamson Memorial Scholarship

Posted on February 24th, 2022

For our 15th anniversary with the The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington is honoring the memory of Jim Williamson with a scholarship. Jim, the former CFGNB President, was a Southington resident who strongly supported early childhood education and the ECCS. Interested students should complete the SHS Common Application […]

2021 Funders

Posted on November 9th, 2021

The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington appreciates the foundations who are support the non-profits in our community. In 2021, the ECCS has received funding from these organizations: Community Foundation of Greater New Britain Awarded in September 2021 – First Years First grant for continued support: staffing, infrastructure, insurance, software licensing, conference and event fees, office and […]

Staff shortages

Posted on September 7th, 2021

Are you having issues finding childcare? Part of the reason why is that the childcare providers don’t have enough staff. They have empty classrooms they can’t fill and waiting lists. The ECCS Director was interviewed by the Record Journal for this 8/30/21 article, Area child care centers start school year dealing with COVID, staff shortages. […]

How to Advocate

Posted on June 18th, 2021

Are you passionate about issues around young children? We are too. Advocacy is one of the three focus areas of the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington. But sometimes it is hard to know what to do, how to help, and if it will make a difference. Advocacy Opportunities The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance hosts an […]

2021 ECCS State of Early Childhood in Southington presentation

Posted on May 27th, 2021

On Tuesday morning, May 25, 2021 the ECCS presented their annual “State of Early Childhood in Southington” update to the community. Joanne Kelleher, Director of the ECCS, gave an overview of youth demographics, an update on the ECCS strategic plan, the impacts of the pandemic, the growing shortage in childcare/preschool slots, and other trends faced […]

RULER Emotional Intelligence Webinar

Posted on March 16th, 2021

The Southington Public School District is implementing RULER, an approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) based out of Yale University, that teaches emotional intelligence to people of all ages, with the goal of creating a healthier, more equitable, innovative, and compassionate society. In March 2021, the ECCS and SPS presented a RULER Emotional Intelligence […]