An early learning center for infants, toddlers and kids has just opened its doors in Southeast Philadelphia.

Montgomery Early Learning Centers opened its first daycare 50 years ago in Ambler, PA, and 18 other centers since throughout Montgomery County and Philadelphia. The centers provide not only childcare, but development for kids from 6 weeks old to 12 years, particularly for families who may not be able to afford quality early education for their children. The organization’s newest center in Point Breeze will serve 88 kids and their families.

Across the state, just 8,500 centers or family child care homes are available to families, not enough to serve the 545,000 children under the age of six whose parents work. Pricey fees also make daycare inaccessible to many families. The average yearly cost for the full-time care of an infant or toddler at a Pennsylvania center ranges from $7,000 to $11,300, according to the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. That's comparable to the average yearly tuition cost of a four-year, public college. 

Research has shown that early education in infants and toddlers leads to long-term benefits, from better academic performance to economic stability. 

In partnership with the Public Health Management Corporation, the MELC Point Breeze center at the former John Gloucester House is enrolling children living in the area for the federally-funded Head Start program, which provides free early education as well as health screenings, nutrition services, kindergarten prep and parent resources to low-income families. 

For more information, families can call (484) 704-2484 or visit www.melc.org.