South Side Early Learning
Who We Are: Since 1922, the mission of South Side Early Learning (SSEL) has been to ensure that every child six weeks to 5 years of age benefits from a holistic, high-quality early education. The teaching faculty and administrative staff work passionately to lead the partnerships, best practices and performance that maximize a child's first 2,000 days, providing a comprehensive program to promote intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth and development that meet the needs of each child.
What We Do: SSEL provides year-round, early education programs and strives to equip parents and students with the care and skills necessary to succeed in school and life. Our holistic approach includes the family unit and through the work of our Family Service Center (FSC), we focus on strengthening families while teaching critical parenting skills, increase problem-solving abilities, and decrease high-risk behaviors. We recognize that sustainable home life is the foundation of success and we offer a variety of programs and resources to provide families with resources that will help them find affordable housing, manage their money, and connect with other community opportunities.
Why We’re Important: Developed over the last century, our model for early education has been refined to best serve the needs of children, families, and educators combing data-informed decision making, evidence-based classroom strategies, embedded professional development, and integrated family engagement. Our approach brings early childhood education to co-located schools in nonprofit hubs, affordable housing complexes, educational institutions, and workplaces.
The new Center for Early Childhood Innovation is an open-access research center focused on developing, evaluating, and refining best practices in early childhood education to close equity and access gaps for young children and their families. The Center’s research explores the early childhood workforce, child well-being, and 21st-century classroom practices.
For nearly 100 years, we have:
Developed partnerships with organizations across Columbus to ensure every child is provided the resources they need to thrive.
Worked to ensure every family has access to high-quality early childhood education, regardless of income or family status.
Developed a revolutionary model that focuses on connecting the community to early childhood programs.
Established a level of expertise to support teachers, train the next generation of professionals, enhance the field of early childhood education, inform policies, and develop communities through learning and play
How You Can Help: Research shows that investing in early education can result in a lifetime’s return of up to $12 for every dollar invested. New research by NAEYC shows that, due to the pandemic, 81% of early care and education providers will be closed permanently by 2021 if no investments are made into early education. To meet current needs, we will soon be expanding our quality education model by adding new SSEL locations. By investing in our work at southsidelearning.org/donate, you will help us expand our work for children and families who need it most.
Connect with South Side Early Learning
966 S High St, 3rd Floor
Columbus, OH 43206
614.444.1529
Donate: www.southsidelearning.org/donate
Podcast: circletimepod.com
CEO: Colin Page McGinnis
Development Director: PJ Gamble
Board Chair: Beth Fisher
