Blog

Upgrades to IBA’s Early Education Program

A Big Step Toward Kindergarten Preparedness

As the first bilingual preschool in the state of Massachusetts, IBA’s child care has evolved into a full-fledged Early Education Program that serves Boston’s South End community. Our staff is proud to offer award-winning care and education that enriches our children and supports their families.

But when the center’s facilities could not keep up with the demand for enrollment, leadership took decisive action. As educators who understand the importance of preschool in a child’s life, administrators needed a solution to avoid turning down prospective students. And so, IBA’s Early Education Program turned to its funders in search of a solution.

Thanks to these allies and their commitment to children’s development the Early Education Program began an exciting renovation project in the spring of 2022. With improvements well underway, IBA’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and project lead, Mayra Negrón-Roche, is happy to share an update on the investment’s progress.

The Scope of the Project

IBA’s Early Education renovation project is a full overhaul of approximately 6,000 square feet of space. This translates into six new classrooms, increasing our capacity from 47 to 77 children and allowing us to expand the program to accept infants and toddlers.

“We expect to have the renovations completed by the first quarter of 2023,” Ms. Negrón-Roche said. This means that when the school opens its new doors in the spring, IBA will be able to offer the children modern school facilities “that expand and deepen our Early Education Program’s mission.”

More Than Just a Facelift

Numerous studies have shown that kindergarten preparedness offers far-reaching benefits in a child’s life – and it all starts with up-to-date classrooms that set the foundation for a lifetime of academic success. This is why upgrading the school’s facilities was a priority to the organization.

As IBA’s COO points out, “our approach to early education goes beyond testing scores. We focus on social emotional skill and development, with inclusion, adaptability, creativity, independence, and critical thinking.” To reinforce this philosophy, the school will now enjoy an even more creative learning environment that inspires children to interact with one another.

It’s important to point out that the expansion also allows IBA to extend its bilingual education to even more young children in our community. With a large Spanish-speaking population, the South End and surrounding areas value this early education program that helps children and families preserve their heritage. By increasing the preschool’s capacity, IBA will continue to promote bilingual skills for the next generation.

Additional features include a new commercial kitchen to provide students with nourishing meals and plenty of natural light to support a healthy lifestyle. By integrating cooking to the curriculum, children will also enjoy hands-on diverse experiences through homemade meals from a wide range of cultures.

Thank You to Our Funders

Thrilled for the preschool’s upcoming relocation to 100 West Dedham, Ms. Negrón-Roche acknowledges the importance of the community’s support in making these upgrades a reality.

“We could not make this possible without the support of our funders,” she said. “We are especially grateful for the Department of Early Education and Care-Early Education and Out of School Time (EEOST) Capital Fund, Eastern Bank and Franklin Square House Foundation; as well as the parents who believe in our mission and entrust us with their children’s education.”

The IBA Early Education Program looks forward to welcoming you and your children to our new space. To learn more about enrollment, contact our team and schedule a tour today.

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