High quality early childhood education has a lifelong effect on students. Through our Early Learning grant program, BCF will support programming that will support Baltimore City and County’s youngest learners and their families get the start they need.

BCF does this through supporting Judy Centers at both the school and district levels. Judy Centers improve the wellbeing, social-emotional learning, and literacy and numeracy for children ages 0 to 5 and their families by providing both academic and non-academic supports.

Our Judy Center investment is made in partnership with the Baltimore City Public Schools and the Maryland State Department of Education. Nonprofit organizations that offer programs and/or services to Judy Centers are encouraged to contact the centers directly to explore partnership opportunities.

We are also interested in developing system-wide early childhood education programming for students and families in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Examples of what we will support include, but are not limited to:

professional development for Head Start teachers, pre-K and K teachers, and/or child care providers;
improved service delivery and coordination of services to children ages 0 to 5 and their families across all sectors;
implementation of best practices and innovative strategies that lead to improved school readiness in low-income communities and communities of color;
efforts that support a parent, family or guardian’s capacity for adult-child connectedness, advocacy, and/or leadership; and
research projects