A new free preschool has officially opened in Eatonville, complementing the recently established Hungerford Elementary School and Orange Technical College. This initiative aims to create a comprehensive educational network for families in the area.
The Hawk Haven preschool will offer free, education-focused childcare for families within the Orange County School District. It is designed to prepare students for kindergarten and will teach essential life skills, including community building, mindfulness, and healthy eating habits.
Bridget Williams, Chief of Staff for Orange County Public Schools, emphasizes the importance of early childhood education. With her background as a teacher and principal, she has witnessed the positive impact of such programs.
“Early childhood education is crucial for developing skills that contribute to the success of our nearly 208,000 students at OCPS. What children learn in their first five years is vital for their classroom performance and life after graduation. I have seen the benefits firsthand in literacy, language, self-regulation, and social skills. We know this approach works,” Williams stated.
The preschool features various amenities to support learning, including indoor and outdoor building blocks, sensory tables, painting stations, and dedicated reading spaces. The initiative received funding from the Travel + Leisure Charitable Foundation.
CEO Michael Brown highlighted the preschool as the culmination of the foundation’s efforts in Eatonville. In 2021, the foundation launched a scholarship program to assist local high school seniors in attending public universities and colleges in Florida.
“We began our outreach in Eatonville in 2021 with a scholarship aimed at helping eligible high school seniors pursue higher education without financial stress. This initiative was inspired by the exceptional work of philanthropist Harris Rosen for students in Orlando’s Tangelo Park community. Hawk Haven preschool serves as the final piece of our Eatonville scholarship program, supporting students from ages two to twenty-two,” said Brown.
Brown expressed optimism that the preschool will positively influence the future of many children, even those who were not yet born when it was built. “Access to early childhood education is linked to better college outcomes and higher earning potential. We are confident that this free, high-quality preschool will help guide our youngest learners and their parents toward successful K-12 journeys and beyond into higher education,” he added.
According to the National Education Association, children who engage in early childhood education tend to:
Be less likely to repeat a grade
Be less likely to be identified as having special needs
Be more academically prepared for later grades
Have higher high school graduation rates
Earn more in the workforce
A study by The Administration for Children and Families also revealed that children who participate in early childhood learning programs develop stronger foundational skills in reading, math, self-control, and positive relationships. Additionally, children from low-socioeconomic backgrounds and those with learning disabilities particularly benefit from these programs.
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