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FOOTHILLS–Beginning November 29, Partnership for the Children debuted its newest program, Play to Learn, a free family support program for parents and caregivers of children up to five years old who are not already enrolled in childcare from Polk and Rutherford Counties. 

The Play to Learn program is a playgroup that gives parents, guardians, or primary caregivers a place to interact and educate their young children. The program helps to better prepare the children for pre-k and elementary school. 

The program, which isn’t a drop-off, meets in Forest City on Withrow Road. Parents that qualify for enrollment and attend from Polk will be given a gas gift card to help cushion the cost of travel. The curriculum for the program is provided by Kaleidoscope Play & Learn, which uses everyday experiences to create learning opportunities. 

Once there, the children begin by participating in free play before moving on to more structured group activities such as a sing-along. It is followed by a storytime, after which the parent or caregiver will spend time working with the child one on one with the help of a facilitator. 

Partnership for Children of the Foothills is supported by NC Smartstart. They provide critically essential programs in McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford counties, providing for child care, education, and family support. They create and build relationships with community agencies and service providers to offer programs to the public, such as the Play to Learn program and others for preschool children and their families, licensed child care centers, and family child care homes.

Due to demand, a second Play To Learn group will begin on January 6. For enrollment information, contact p2l@pfcfoothills.org or 828-289-5213.