WEST CHESTER, PA (April 23, 2025) – Improvements and upgrades are coming to the childcare and early learning facilities at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW), thanks to new state funding secured by state Senator Carolyn Comitta.
The $50,000 grant awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Education will support environmental upgrades at childcare and early learning classrooms at the Oscar Lasko YMCA in West Chester and the Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn.
“Having a strong and healthy start is important for every child. The YMCA of Greater Brandywine helps ensure that our young people are prepared for lifelong learning, opportunity, and success,” said Comitta, who serves on the Senate Education Committee. “I have personally seen the benefits of the YGBW’s programs for families across our community and I am proud to help this investment in childcare and early education.”
With the funding, YGBW will be able to increase the Keystone STARS rating at their facilities, a program of Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) that assesses the quality of early learning programs in the Commonwealth.
“At YGBW, we are committed to excellence in every program we offer—especially in our Childcare and Early Learning programs,” said Bertram L. Lawson II, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. “This funding will empower our team to elevate our Keystone STARS ratings and ensure that every child in our community has access to safe, high-quality and enriching educational opportunities. We extend our deepest gratitude to Senator Carolyn Comitta for her support in securing this funding. Her dedication to advocating for our community’s youngest learners is truly commendable – and we appreciate her continued commitment to their success.”
Keystone STARS (Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources, and Supports) is a quality rating system that promotes quality improvement in early learning and development programs and school-age childcare. Early learning programs participating in Keystone STARS can earn a quality rating score from a STAR 1 to a STAR 4. At each level, programs must meet certain quality standards in four key areas: staff education, learning environment, leadership/management, and family/community partnerships
The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is the largest provider of licensed childcare in Chester County, providing care and early learning programming to more than 5,000 children each year.
To learn more about YGBW go to ymcagbw.org
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