Saint Louis, MO / March 1 – Cornerstone Center for Early Learning announced today that it will be launching a pilot childcare program beginning Spring of 2024. Located at 5001 Pernod in the former Kingshighway Hills Preschool Plus building, the facility has capacity to serve up to eight infants and 16 two-to-five year olds. Cornerstone’s board of directors has been exploring expansion opportunities for several years, as the number of families on Cornerstone’s waitlist far exceeds those the organization has capacity to serve.
“When the space at 5001 Pernod Avenue became available, it stood out to the board for its turn-key status and the opportunity to lease rather than purchase,” said Robin Baima, board vice president. “It feels like the perfect first step to explore expansion before moving forward with permanent plans.”
Although financially under the Cornerstone umbrella, there will be differences between the Pernod facility and Cornerstone’s program at 3901 Russell. In the pilot’s first year, the program will be private-pay, and families will provide meals and diapering supplies. The Pernod location will focus on providing nurturing, licensed, high-quality care in an intimate, homelike setting. Families already on Cornerstone’s waitlist, which is over 50 families long, will receive priority for enrollment at the Pernod facility.
“As a parent of three Cornerstone graduates, our family benefited from the knowledge, professionalism, warmth, care, and support of Cornerstone staff for over three years,” said Lawrence Anthony, a Cornerstone board member. “I am confident that they are equipped to carry forward that same standard of excellence to families at the new location.”
“In today’s landscape, so many children are on waitlists to enter a quality early learning center, causing delays for parents in reentering the workforce,” said Dale Lewis, a board member and parent of two children who graduated from Cornerstone. “The new location will provide 24 more families the opportunity to experience the educational and childcare reputation that Cornerstone Center for Early Learning has built over its 55 years of existence.”
A celebratory open house for the new program at 5001 Pernod will be held on March 24th from 2-5 p.m. The event will include a balloon artist, light snacks, and self-guided tours. All are welcome to join in celebrating this expansion to serve more families.
To learn more about Cornerstone Center for Early Learning, visit https://www.cornerstonecenterstl.org/.
To learn more about the pilot program, or to inquire about an educator position, please contact Karen Lucy at klucy@cornerstonecenterstl.org.
About Cornerstone Center for Early Learning
Founded in 1969, Cornerstone Center for Early Learning strengthens St. Louis-area families of all economic backgrounds through quality, comprehensive, and affordable childcare and preschool education in a nurturing, creative environment that prepares children for a lifetime of positive social interaction and learning.
Cornerstone Center for Early Learning Media Contact:
Name: Michelle Campbell
Email: mcampbell@cornerstonecenterstl.org
Phone: (314) 865-5244 ext:133