Hammond board hears plan for Early Learning Center as one-stop preschool hub

Patty Richardson, introduced at the meeting as Head Start assistant director, presented the district's Hammond Early Learning Center as a "one-stop shop" for preschool families, describing multiple program options, on-site therapies and family engagement activities.

Richardson said the center houses three program tracks: Monday–Thursday classes for children who are 3 or 4 by Aug. 1, Monday–Friday classes for children who are 4 by Aug. 1, and preschool special education for students with IEPs. She also described a birth-to-5 program that meets twice weekly and on Fridays, on-site preschool diagnostics, and therapies including speech, occupational and physical therapy.

"It is my pleasure and my privilege to present to you tonight on the Hammond Early Learning Center," Richardson told the board, and she noted the center will be the district's first impression for many families entering early childhood services. She provided a registration number for families: (219) 989-7336.

Trustees asked about capacity, enrollment patterns by neighborhood and how the district will measure long-term outcomes. Richardson said space remains available in all three program types and that the district is tracking where families call from; she added that outcome reporting tied to a related grant will be brought to the board next month. On transitions, Richardson said the center will streamline movement between program options and to kindergarten.

The board thanked Richardson and invited members of the public to an open house planned for September.

The presentation came during the board's regular August 20 meeting and was followed by other program and budget briefings.