Reading, writing, and math are just some of the subjects kids at Kinder Care learn about every day, but there is something else they learn that is not in a school book.
“It’s not just about educating the children academically. We have so many kids that don’t know how to get along with others. They come into the program. We teach them how to get along with others,” said Katrina Saverin, a lead teacher at Kinder Care.
Last year, the state cut five slots from Kinder Care. Saverin said the school and the community can’t afford to lose anymore.
“If they don’t have those life skills and the budget is cut, then we have five kids that could be on the streets doing drugs, robbing, raping, killing,” said Saverin. “So, it’s important to keep this program so that we can meet those needs early.”
Right now, the state is looking to cut around $22 million from its preschool programs. Port Allen Police Chief Esdron Brown and Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro said this isn’t just a problem for our education system, it’s a matter of public safety.
“So I could imagine, if we make this cut, and over 5,000 kids are going to miss out on opportunities to attend these schools. What a loss, what a hurt. We know that knowledge is the key,” said Brown.
“In many instances, the individuals that find themselves in the criminal justice system have very little to no education,” explained Cannizzaro.
“What’s going to happen to those kids? How are they going to learn how to get along with others? How will they learn how to share? How would they learn how to stay out of trouble?,” questioned Cannizzaro. “If we don’t have the slots, we can’t meet the need.”
Kinder Care is part of the Nonpublic School Early Childhood Development program. It’s one of three programs that is on the chopping block. Legislators have expressed they do want to save the program because it helps at risk children across our state.