NBFA Early Learning Center

NBFA Early Learning Center

Because College Starts in Pre-K

Expansion

Now in its 22nd academic year, NBFA will build a new state-of-the-art Early Learning Center (ELC) on its existing campus. The ELC will significantly increase the number of preschoolers currently served by the Pre-K through 6th grade charter school. The center will serve as the feeder for NBFA’s elementary school, which uses emotionally responsive practice (ERP), an approach best suited for urban children in infancy through grade 6. With an eye on the formative years, NBFA will increase student learning and development outcomes through its evidence-based, trauma-informed center for early learners, ages 3, 4 and 5. Reaching children earlier in the critical foundational years and fostering age-appropriate, social-emotional and academic growth will better position students for success in elementary school.

To Serve 160 of Connecticut’s Low Income Children

NBFA's student body is 98% Black and Hispanic. More than 13% are multilingual learners and 8.4% receive special education services. Many come from single parent households. The vast majority contend with adult-sized stressors (e.g. food and housing insecurity, domestic and neighborhood violence, un-and underemployment, etc.) As a result, many students come to school dysregulated and unfocused, without the critical attachment bonds needed to form trusting relationships with teachers and peers so that they can learn.

Approved by the State of Connecticut 
Based on a demonstrable community need and NBFAs track record implementing the ERP model, a social emotional approach to teaching and learning, the Connecticut State Board of Education granted a material change that allowed NBFA to accommodate more early learners and build the new facility.

20+ Years of Leadership and Forward Thinking

NBFA employs unique solutions to handling students’ tough situations so that they can access learning. Research shows that high-quality, early childhood programs have long-term social, emotional, academic and economic benefits, especially for low-income students. (Heckman, 2021). Long before state education departments were forced by a global pandemic to prioritize the mental health and well-being of students, NBFA took the lead in building a district focused on delivering a high-quality education embedded with unconventional social emotional learning experiences. For the past eight years, working under the guidance of the Office of Emotionally Responsive Practice at Bank Street College of Education in New York, the leading progressive teacher prep school, NBFA has supplemented conventional pedagogical approaches with teddy bears, cozy corners, restorative circles and other innovative strategies to help stressed children meet their individual developmental milestones and learning goals. NBFA has remained steadfast in its commitment to ERP and has proven, through longitudinal and anecdotal data, that this model works for poverty-impacted children. Over the years, NBFA has graduated 100% of its outgoing class with the majority going on to college and professional careers.

Designed with Learning in Mind

Renowned Architects Gill & Gill designed the two-story, 14,100 square foot facility with a green/outdoor space for children. Constructed on the existing NBFA campus, the center is designed to support play based learning both inside and outdoors. The first floor will house eight NAEYC-standard classrooms, a gross motor skills space and related offices. There will be eight classrooms each designed to accommodate a maximum of 20 students. The second floor will house a conference room and non-instructional staff offices.

Closing the Gap

The construction budget for this project is $5,002,006, of which NBFA has already secured $4 million in private donations, pledges and reserves. 

Founder and Leadership

Ronelle P. Swagerty has been employed at NBFA since 2004 and has served as its Chief Executive Officer in a quasi-superintendent role since 2014. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Emerson College, a Master of Business Administration from Fordham University and a Master of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education. She is a Connecticut certified early childhood educator. 

For More Information

Roree M. Warnke, Chief Development and Communications Officer [email protected]

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