Following the recent closure of two of Nederland’s early childhood education centers – Little Bear and the Aspen Grove Community Preschool – TEENS, Inc. stepped in to fill the gap.
Following the recent closure of two of Nederland’s early childhood education centers – Little Bear and the Aspen Grove Community Preschool – TEENS, Inc., a grantee of your Community Foundation, stepped in to fill the gap by creating the New Explorers Learning Center (NELC).
“We know that high quality early childhood education is a precursor to success in the teenage years,” says Stephen LeFaivre, Executive Director of TEENS, Inc., in a statement. For more than two decades, TEENS, Inc. has been serving youth and their families in Nederland and the Peak-to-Peak region.
According to the statement from Stephen and Leonard Berman – TEENS, Inc. board president – limited preschool options in Nederland would mean that “families might have to choose options in Boulder or beyond, thus reducing the likelihood of their children later enrolling in Nederland Elementary School. This would negatively impact all Nederland schools.
“This effort will build on our mission without sacrificing the core of our programming for sixth-graders and youth through 21 years old.”
Indeed, NELC – which opened its doors on Aug. 1 – reflects TEENS, Inc.’s tradition of responding to our community’s needs.
“We’re excited to have begun this new endeavor, and commit to serving Nederland’s youngest learners,” say Stephen and Leonard. “As with all our program, we will serve all families … no one will be turned away for inability to pay.”
That’s good news for families in Nederland, and Boulder County as a whole.
