United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA’s) EXCEL (Expanding Childcare and Early Learning) grant program continues to make an impact in advancing early childhood education and small business growth in Central Alabama. Together with the City of Bessemer, UWCA celebrated the expansion of Kidz Konnection Learning Academy, a proud alumni site of UWCA’s Success By Six program and now a recipient of a childcare expansion grant through EXCEL.
As a result of United Way funding, Kidz Konnection has increased access to high-quality early education for families in the Bessemer area with the addition of space for 23 more children, in addition to their previous capacity of 45. This location is Kidz Konnection’s second center, complementing the first site in Hueytown.
Amber Whitfield, UWCA Success By Six Director, reflected on the center’s growth.
“Under the leadership of director Ranesha Herbert, what started as a single venture has expanded into two thriving centers,” said Whitfield. “Ranesha’s dedication to early childhood education is evident in every detail of her work, from the learning environment she creates to the standard she sets for excellence.”
Since its launch, EXCEL has made measurable progress in addressing childcare shortages across Central Alabama, including:
- Funding the expansion of 37 early learning programs in the region.
- Giving nearly 2,000 more children access to high-quality early learning programs within their communities.
- Investing $925,000 in helping early learning providers expand, improve and thrive.
- Generating approximately 140 new jobs within early learning centers.
UWCA’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to early education while strengthening the regional workforce opens new doors for families across Central Alabama. UWCA Senior Vice President of Community Impact Katrina Watson summarized what this access means for families and the community, saying,
“Childcare centers like these create new jobs, enable parents to go to work and ensure that children learn the essential skills that they need to thrive.”
Beyond financial support, EXCEL also offers childcare providers access to:
- Training in early learning best practices and classroom strategies.
- Business development coaching to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Technical assistance in accessing state-funded programs.
To learn more about UWCA’s work in supporting thriving childcare centers and high-quality early learning, visit www.uwca.org/excel.