NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio – New Lexington Schools and Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) are partnering to address the need for childcare services for their employees and the workforce development needs for their students. The organizations are collaborating to offer a childcare program at MVESC’s Perry County campus in New Lexington. The program will specifically serve New Lexington Schools’ staff members and MVESC staff working in the New Lexington district.
“We recognized the lack of childcare services creates a challenge for some of our employees and this new initiative is a way to address that,” said Casey Coffey, Superintendent, New Lexington Schools. “Having reliable, accessible childcare will address a major concern for some of our personnel that need the service,” Coffey said. “Additionally, we will be able to provide workforce development opportunities for our students who desire a career in education or early childhood development.”
The program will operate on the New Lexington Schools’ academic calendar and will be available from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The program will serve children from six-weeks to preschool age. MVESC personnel will operate the childcare program and will use Frog Street curriculum designed for infants and toddlers. The program will also allow for educational training opportunities for New Lexington High School students interested in early childhood education. Students will complete coursework in partnership with Tri-County Career Center, Hocking College, and Central State. New Lexington Schools’ students who have completed coursework in early childhood education, will have the opportunity to utilize the Early Childhood Training Center for their on-site observation hours.
“I am extremely pleased MVESC could partner with New Lexington Schools to provide this service to district employees,” said Lori Snyder-Lowe, Superintendent, MVESC. “Superintendent Coffey and the district’s leadership should be commended for identifying a need, and then partnering with an organization that could deliver the program to address it,” she added.
Registration for the program will begin in late June. For more information call Lisa Gormley, MVESC Preschool Program Coordinator-Perry County Programs, at 740-343-0680 or email lisa.gormley@mvesc.org.