Grant is part of statewide Come Back Stronger Fund from Early Learning Indiana
Wabash, IN: (September 3, 2020) – Early Learning Indiana recently awarded a $20,000 grant to Metro North
Elementary School’s Little Norse Preschool as part of the $15 million Come Back Stronger Fund, supported by
Lilly Endowment, to reinforce Indiana’s supply of high-quality early learning opportunities, especially for the
state’s most vulnerable children. Little Norse Preschool will use the grant funds to support safety-related
expenses and challenges as it continues to serve families in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The health and safety of our children, families and staff is our top priority,” said Metro North’s Principal Janette
Moore. “In order for our community to come back stronger from the pandemic, high-quality early education is
extremely important, and we’re committed to supporting families who need child care by providing a safe and
educational environment.”
Through the generous support of Early Indiana and the Come Back Stronger fund, Little Norse Preschool will
purchase additional classroom materials and add a staff member to assist in the two preschool classrooms
during times when limiting group size is necessary. The funding ensures Little Norse students will continue to
create, connect, pretend, explore, sing, dance, and build, all while learning about their world in a
developmentally-appropriate way that best prepares them for kindergarten and beyond.
“The pandemic has shone a light on the critical role early care and education providers play in our society,”
said Early Learning Indiana President and CEO Maureen Weber. “Families need quality preschool in order to
go back to work, and children need safe and engaging environments to grow and learn. We’re grateful to Little
Norse’s commitment to providing a high-quality environment, and we’re excited to see what they and the other
154 providers do with their Come Back Stronger Fund grants.”
Early Learning Indiana awarded a total of $2,341,000 to 155 providers in this first round of grant awards. Little
Norse Preschool was required to submit a narrative on how it would use the grant funds and serve children
from vulnerable populations, as well as meet the following criteria:
· Be a licensed and registered center, ministry or family child care home provider in Indiana in good
standing
· Be an approved CCDF or On My Way Pre-K provider or a provider that otherwise serves children
from vulnerable family populations, defined as households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty
Level
· Operate as a Paths to QUALITY™ Level 3 or 4, or as a Paths to QUALITY™ Level 2 with a
demonstrated commitment to achieving a higher level of program quality
· Serve children ages 0-5
Early child care organizations can still apply for a Come Back Stronger Fund grant at
www.earlylearningin.org/comebackstronger.