The Y Preschool at UMBC celebrated its grand re-opening on Tuesday, August 25 as the campus community gathered to reaffirm UMBC’s commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education. The event featured a tour of the new building, a visit by True Grit, and remarks by President Freeman Hrabowski, Associate Vice President of Human Resources Valerie Thomas, Y of Central Maryland CEO and President John Hoey, and parents of former UMBC preschool students. The preschool, which opens September 1, is at capacity and serves UMBC faculty, staff, students, as well as members of the local community.

President Hrabowski spoke about how the university engaged in conversations with the UMBC community to re-open the center. “This campus believes in the people here, believes in the children,” he said. “We understand how important it is for families to have safe places for their children.”
In his remarks, Y of Central Maryland President John Hoey emphasized the importance of early childhood education and the unique experiences offered by a preschool located in an university. “We view this as a partnership with UMBC,” he said. Rebecca Zahn, executive director of early childhood development and quality at the Y of Central Maryland, praised the preschool in the Baltimore Sun. “What sets the UMBC site apart from the Y’s other sites, Zahn said, is the access the campus setting provides preschool staff and students,” the article reported.

Parents of former UMBC preschoolers also shared their experiences at the celebration. Delana Gregg, academic advisor at the Honors College, spoke about what the preschool meant to her twin daughters. “My children really found their voice at the Y,” she said. “It was the perfect way for me to be part of their education.”

Read “For the first time in two years, preschool reopens on UMBC campus Sept. 1” in the Baltimore Sun.