Since the beginning, education has been foundational at Shepherd. Yet, access to quality, affordable childcare has been and continues to be a major challenge in Shepherd’s neighborhood. Instead of just offering childcare, Shepherd wanted to create a foundation and a love of learning for our youngest neighbors. In collaboration with Near East Area Renewal (NEAR) and after nearly six years of work and planning (and unfortunately in the middle of a global pandemic), Shepherd made this need a reality in the fall of 2020, transforming half of former IPS School #78 (Minnie Hartmann) into a full-day childcare and early learning facility.

But it’s more than education, it’s a place where children are safe and loved. Shepherd Community Early Learning Scholars (formerly Shepherd Neighborhood Childcare at Minnie Hartmann) offers full-day care for children starting at 6 weeks old, continuing through early learning for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds in Pre-School and Kindergarten. Shepherd Community Early Learning Scholars (SCELS) is a place where children are called by name, taught independence, and cared for with safety and love.

One special greeter at SCELS is an oversized teddy bear who can be seen from the moment children walk in the door, often dressed to fit the upcoming holiday. This bear came to Shepherd, well-loved by a little girl who is now a teenager. Her mom decided to call Shepherd and see if this giant teddy could bless a new generation of children the way it did her daughter. And it sure does!

“I put it in the hallway by the entrance where the children walk in every morning,” said Diana Reed, Director of Shepherd Community Early Learning Scholars. “Every morning, children hug it when they arrive, and in the evening, children hug it before they leave. It makes me smile. That’s what this place is meant to be – a safe home during the day to play and learn. We care for these kids like they are our own.”

Shepherd Community Early Learning Scholars creates a foundation of quality education from 6 weeks to Kindergarten, located less than a mile from the Community Center. Take a tour around SCELS to see how this program is bringing hope to our young neighbors:

Shepherd stands as a beacon of hope for our neighbors, providing a space for them to feel seen, heard, and loved. We are committed for the next 40 years to providing not only quality education, but supportive childcare, where each child is loved and protected, and each family can find hope.