Childcare and Education
Thirty-two of the ninety congregations in the study provide some
form of daycare/preschool or K-8 education (there were no congregations
operating high schools in this study). As researchers, elected officials and
education advocates continue to recognize the importance of early
childhood education, congregations with these programs should receive
increasing acknowledgement and support.
In many cities, congregations sponsor or host a significant percentage
of daycare programs, but there is room for much more. We found that 27
of the 90 congregations hosted day care or pre-school programs. Local
government, funders, and nonprofits in this arena can support
congregations or daycare operators housed in sacred places with technical
assistance and capital or program related funding to expand both the
quality and quantity of daycare.
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