AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – West Texas A&M University and Plemons-Stinnett-Phillips are collaborating to enhance access to high-quality pre-k education.
‘Kids Kollege’ was initiated by the Texas Workforce Commission and they partnered with The Texas A&M University System.
“We’re the most rural of all the childcare systems in the A&M system and because of the 26 counties of the Panhandle, so many are childcare deserts,” said Dr. Shawn Fouts, senior director of WT’s campus community.
The partnership will provide a certified teacher for the WT daycare and boost student enrollment the school district serves.
“By them counting our Kid’s Kollege children in their average daily attendance, it bumped them up enough where they were able to actually open up an early childcare center in Stinnett and so that is going to serve their entire community just by us making a partnership here,” said Tiffany Whigham, director of WT’s Kids Kollege.
Kids Kollege provides services for children between 18 months and five years old, and children between three and four are eligible for the pre-k program.
“In Stinnett there were no childcare centers available, and so if you had a child in Stinnett you had to either find someone who is willing to watch them in their home or drive to Borger,” said Whigham.
There will be a total of 35 kids enrolled in Plemons-Stinnett-Phillips childcare program.
“The earlier you can reach families and students and start providing those educational services, you’re just giving them a head start in their education and you’re setting them up for success in the future,” said Jamie Copley, Plemons-Stinnett-Phillips superintendent.
The PSP district is renovating a room at the school to serve as the early childhood education center and will be ready before classes begin this year.
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