An Arkansas nonprofit group known as Joyfully Engaged Learning has been working to improve the lack of accredited pre-K programs in the Natural State.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — There are dozens of early childhood learning programs across Arkansas that have been looking to help students start learning as early as six months of age.
As they grow physically, childhood programs are looking to help children grow both mentally and socially.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children or NAEYC recognizes programs aiming to boost school readiness and currently, there are only six in Central Arkansas.
Leigh Kenner, Executive Director of the nonprofit, Joyfully Engaged Learning, has been working to improve the lack of accredited pre-k programs.
“Arkansas, unfortunately, is currently ranked 49th in the nation for the number of NAEYC-accredited schools. My goal is to fix that,” Kenner said. “High-quality early learning has been proven to better prepare …