A new partnership between the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and the National Head Start Association (NHSA) is helping create valuable educational opportunities for young children and their parents. This partnership, called the “Kids on Campus” initiative, is working to provide quality childcare at community colleges and help student parents finish their degrees.
The initiative’s Year One Annual Report shows significant progress. The five-year project aims to establish at least 50 Head Start childcare centers at community college campuses by 2030. This effort aims to address two key challenges: the need for quality early childhood education and the barriers that prevent student parents from completing their studies.
Steve Jurch, Associate Vice President of the ACCT Center for Policy and Practice, explained, “This partnership addresses two glaring yet often overlooked problems. While more than 20% of all students are parents attending community colleges, over half of them fail to complete their degrees. A lack of affordable childcare is a major reason.”
The initiative’s multigenerational approach is showing early signs of success. The report reveals that 87 community colleges and 98 Head Start programs in 27 states have already engaged with the project. Additionally, 18 potential partnerships have been identified, with two new partnerships launched in Fall 2024 and a third set to open in Spring 2025.
These partnerships offer mutual benefits for both colleges and Head Start programs. Colleges get expert partners to run on-site childcare centers, without facing budgetary pressures. In return, parenting students receive free, high-quality childcare for their children. Head Start programs also benefit, often receiving free or reduced rent, which helps them expand their services.
“The simplicity and importance of the concept have made this possible,” said Victoria Jones, Senior Director of Data at NHSA. “Both Head Start programs and community colleges play crucial roles in their communities, providing high-quality education and support to students.”
The report highlights some successful partnerships, such as the one between Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start and Springfield Technical Community College in Massachusetts. This partnership, which opened in September 2024, provides affordable early education to children while offering valuable hands-on experience to students in early childhood education programs.
In Maryland, Howard Community College teamed up with the Community Action Council of Howard County to revitalize its Children’s Learning Center, meeting the growing demand for affordable childcare for students balancing education and family responsibilities.
Research shows the significant impact these programs can have. More than half of the 3.14 million undergraduate student parents in the U.S. are enrolled in community colleges. Many face financial challenges despite being employed and receiving financial aid. For example, 29% report food insecurity, and 28% would struggle to cover an emergency expense of $500.
“Big initiatives take time to grow and develop,” said Carrie Warick-Smith, Vice President of ACCT. “During Year One, we have laid the groundwork for progress. Over the next several years, Kids on Campus will continue to push forward.”
The project is supported by a coalition of foundations committed to promoting educational equity, including the ECMC Foundation, Imaginable Futures, Lumina Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Trellis Foundation, Crimsonbridge Foundation, and Seldin Haring-Smith Foundation.
