Mobile preschool helps kids be ready for school

You may have memories of taking the bus to school. But what if that bus had brought the school to you? For preschoolers in Philadelphia, that’s a reality, thanks to a new mobile preschool modeled after the successful “Busesito” (little bus) program in Colorado.

The program, funded by grants from Vanguard Strong Start for Kids^TM and the William Penn Foundation, is run by Xiente, a local nonprofit organization.

“The generous personal donations from our crew members play a critical role in accelerating the work of Strong Start for Kids and strengthening relationships with our nonprofit partners in local communities,” said Aldustus (A.J.) Jordan, head of Community Stewardship and president of the Vanguard Group Foundation. “Their financial and volunteer support is making a long-term impact on the lives of children and families.”  

The mobile preschool serves children ages 3-5 who are cared for by informal/in-home providers. Three cohorts of 32 children hop on the bus twice per week for 2.5-hour learning sessions on subjects including letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and phonics. 

The program also provides coaching, technical assistance, and networking to help informal childcare providers create high-quality early learning experiences for the children in their care. In addition, parents, caregivers, and families receive support and connections to resources focused on economic mobility.

“With its innovative approach to supporting preschool students and their caregivers, Xiente’s mobile preschool is taking a meaningful step toward broadening access to high-quality early childhood education in Philadelphia,” said Rashanda Perryman, head of philanthropy in Community Stewardship. 

Vanguard’s signature philanthropic initiative, Strong Start for Kids is guided by the belief that all young children, given the right conditions, can learn, thrive, and reach their full potential.

As an investment management firm, Vanguard’s decision to invest in young children is grounded in empirical evidence that confirms the long-term social and economic benefits of high-quality early childhood opportunities.

Strong Start for Kids is just one part of Vanguard Community 365, our year-round effort to build stronger communities. Read more about our approach to philanthropy and volunteerism.

• Our approach to community engagement (article, issued June 2023)
• Vanguard Strong Start for Kids (annual report, issued March 2023)
• Feeding the year-round need for healthy food (article, issued May 2022)