For decades, United Way of Berks County has been committed to improving the lives of local families, with a strong focus on early childhood education and childcare. In the early 2000s, with 61% of mothers working outside the home and two out of three infants and toddlers having working parents, the need for accessible, affordable, and quality childcare became urgent. To address this, United Way launched the Child Care Initiative, aiming to meet the needs of working families while raising the standard of early childhood education.
With support from local foundations and grants, United Way invested over $500,000 in the initiative, which funded seven local agencies and increased childcare slots by over 1,000. This effort focused on providing essential care for children while their parents worked, but it became clear that quality needed to be prioritized as much as access.
To improve the quality of care, United Way expanded its focus to include staff training and leadership development through the Growing Readers program under the Ready.Set.READ! umbrella. A key component of this shift was offering local childcare staff access to the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, a nationally recognized certification. Over the years, United Way has supported 12 CDA cohorts, equipping childcare providers with the skills to improve early childhood education and create environments that nurture learning and emotional growth for young children.
Recognizing the importance of strong leadership, United Way also provided training for childcare center directors and owners to help them lead with vision and empathy, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This holistic approach ensures that both staff and children thrive in a supportive, high-quality environment.
Looking back, we’ve come full circle—from initially increasing childcare availability to now focusing on improving the quality of care and education children receive. What began as a solution for working families has grown into a sustainable model that supports both staff and leadership, helping children develop the academic and social foundation they need to thrive.
United Way’s work continues to evolve with the changing needs of working families, ensuring that every child in Berks County has access to the resources and care necessary for a bright future. Though much progress has been made since the early 2000s, United Way remains committed to creating lasting change and supporting families for generations to come.
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