The Mayor’s Fund for Education has introduced a new solution for accessing childcare services in Long Beach with the launch of the Long Beach Early Learning Hub. This centralized system aims to streamline the process of finding and securing childcare services for local families.
The Hub’s website went live on Aug. 29, and parents of children up to 5 years old can use it to search for and apply to multiple child care providers simultaneously. The project is a collaborative effort involving the Mayor’s Fund, the City of Long Beach, the Long Beach Unified School District, the Long Beach Early Childhood Education Committee and other stakeholders.
The Hub offers a centralized platform available in English, Spanish and Khmer. The platform’s objective is to provide families with a comprehensive, one-stop solution that aligns with their preferences.
Childcare providers that parents can connect with through The Hub include Amaro Family Childcare, Child Lane, Children Today, Little Eagles Soaring for Excellence Preschool, Little Owl School, Long Beach Day Nursery, LBUSD Child Development Centers, Un Mundo de Amigos Preschool, YMCA of Greater Long Beach and Young Horizons Child Development Centers.
Its streamlined application and enrollment processes aim to benefit both families and childcare providers. Additionally, the platform will enhance data tracking and inform families about potential financial resources available to them.
“Access to quality child care is a critical component to a family’s ability to meaningfully engage in the workforce or access resources they need to thrive,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement from the city. “By providing a system which makes it easier for families to find and access not only care, but also financial support, the Early Learning Hub will be an innovative new economic driver for the Long Beach community.”
Funding for The Hub’s development comes from a $900,000 investment through the City of Long Beach’s Recovery Act. This investment aims to address challenges related to childcare access, quality, and affordability. A portion of the funding, approximately $375,000, is allocated for tuition support to assist local working families.
As The Hub evolves, there are plans to expand its services to encompass more childcare providers, with a focus on home-based childcare businesses that accommodate non-traditional working hours.
For more information about The Hub, please visit www.thehublb.org.
