JACKSON SQ.—After a year in delays, a $16 million early learning and community services center broke ground in Bromley-Heath last week. It is expected to open at 33-41 Bickford St. in early 2014.
When completed, the Bromley-Heath Learning Center, developed by the Associated Early Care and Education (ACE) program, is expected to serve 175 children up to 8 years old. It will provide a range of educational, family enrichment, employment, healthcare and parent support services for low-income children and families.
“Through this innovative program at Bromley-Heath, children will receive a head start on their education and parents will benefit from the knowledge that their children are in a safe, high-quality learning environment,” Gov. Deval Patrick said in a press release.
The learning center will be operated by ACE, a Boston-based program that includes six early-care and education centers and that cares for over 1,500 children. Parents pay a sliding tuition fee based on income and family size, with additional subsidies from public and private sources providing additional funding.
Bromley-Heath is a large public housing development between Heath and Centre streets.
Wayne Ysaguirre, CEO of Associated Early Care and Education, and surrounding pre-schoolers from the Bromley-Heath public housing development show off a poster of the new $16 million early learning center to be built at Bromley-Heath. (Courtesy Photo)