Russell Child Care Collaborative: Empowering Educators and Building Stronger Communities
One of the biggest influences on a child’s early development is their educators. Early childhood teachers in Louisville’s historic Russell neighborhood understand this and are making a transformative impact through the Russell Child Care Collaborative.
“In a community that has been underserved for as long as I can remember, it felt great to finally be seen and heard,” reflected a participant in the collaborative. Through focused professional development for local educators, this initiative is elevating the quality of early childhood education and strengthening the community in Russell and beyond.
The Russell Child Care Collaborative was created to address the need for high-quality professional development for child care educators in the area. By offering 15 hours of free professional development through the Communities of Practice (COP) model, educators are provided with the resources to better serve the children and families of Russell. Over a seven-month period, educators meet monthly to collaborate, share experiences, and exchange practical strategies. One participant shared, “What set it apart was the sense of fellowship it fostered,” highlighting the unique, supportive environment the program has cultivated.
In addition to the collaborative aspect, the educators received expert guidance on key topics such as Strengthening Families, Learning through Play, Classroom Environments, and Family Engagement. By strengthening the knowledge and skillsets of local providers, the Collaborative is effectively helping to elevate the quality of early childhood education across the community.
Classroom materials, funded through the Ready for K program, were also distributed to Russell’s educators, and immediately placed in the hands of eager, curious children. As one participant noted, “The learning materials we received have been a great asset in enhancing our educational offerings and enriching the overall learning environment at our center.”
The Russell COP has also had a lasting impact on the relationships between local child care centers. While educators initially viewed one another as competitors, they now work collaboratively, supporting each other and sharing best practices. This shift in perspective has created a strong network of professionals committed to improving the quality of early childhood education in their community.
The program’s success is rooted in strong community partnerships, which include key stakeholders such as Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C), Metro United Way, the Ready for K Alliance, Russell Place of Promise, Play Cousins Collective, and Child Care Aware of KY (Jefferson). These partnerships ensure that the program remains responsive to the needs of the Russell neighborhood and provides educators with continuous support. One participant expressed, “The exchange of ideas with these agencies allowed me to gain insights and best practices that have contributed to the growth and development of our center.”
Educators who participated in the Russell Child Care Collaborative valued the experience so much that they wanted to continue meeting beyond the original program. They take pride in their neighborhood and the work they do each day. In fact, many are now preparing to share their experiences with educators in a new Community of Practice being launched in another West Louisville neighborhood, expanding the impact even further.
At the Prichard Committee, we are proud to highlight the Russell Child Care Collaborative as a powerful example of how investing in early educators uplifts entire communities. We encourage other communities to explore similar models that support and invest in the individuals at the heart of early childhood education. Efforts like these can help strengthen and expand high-quality child care options, which in turn can contribute to increasing preschool participation. Preschool participation is one of the key indicators for improving education and quality of life outcomes measured in the Prichard Committee’s Big Bold Future Report National Rankings Report.
One participant captured the essence of their experience with the Collaborative, saying, “I wouldn’t change a thing. [The Russell Child Care Collaborative] was a very unique experience where I felt seen and heard.”
“Powerful” and “invaluable” are just a few words participants have used to describe their experience with the Russell Child Care Collaborative. These words also reflect the importance of early childhood educators in our communities. As we continue to advocate for children, let us not forget that supporting their teachers is a critical part of that effort.
To learn more about the Russell Child Care Collaborative and the Communities of Practice model, visit Community Coordinated Child Care’s website.