Preparing Children for Success in Anson County

 

To positively influence our community’s future, United Way of Central Carolinas knows we must set our youngest minds up for success, including those in Anson County.

 

Children’s earliest experiences even before they enter school can determine their ability to succeed for the rest of their lives. Parents, guardians and caregivers play crucial roles in promoting positive early brain development, social and emotional health and early literacy.

 

Engagement in high-quality child care and other early learning programs enriches the experiences of young children during a critical period when the brain is developing at an unparalleled rate. A child’s earliest years (birth to age 5) are the most formative for brain development.

 

For many families across our community, however, it can be hard to find and afford quality early learning resources and programs. Over one in five people in Anson County live in poverty—nearly one in three are children. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 and 2019 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates)

 

Early access to education, parent support and the facilitation of learning is essential to promoting children’s development and learning into the future. To help fill the gaps, United Way nonprofit partners in Anson County are championing quality, affordable programs that enhance school readiness, help families support their children’s development and improve early childhood success.

 

In 2019-2020, nearly 900 children birth to age 5 in Anson County excelled in developing social and emotional skills with the aid of United Way partners, including Anson County Partnership for Children. (Source: United Way of Central Carolinas)

 

Anson County Partnership for Children is a resource for childcare providers, children and families to help make Anson County a better place to be a child and raise a child. The nonprofit develops direct services for children and families, parenting education, child care provider training programs and other services to help young children and their families.

 

“The partnership with United Way is important to our community because we advocate for early education from birth,” said Katie Sewell, program coordinator at Anson County Partnership for Children. “The funding that we receive from United Way allows us to purchase books and materials for classrooms and provide family support programming such as Motheread and Proud Parents.”

 

Learn more about United Way’s impact and partnerships in Anson County.