Celebrating Early Childhood Education: The Grand Opening of the YWCA Microcenter at Capitol Elementary

March 20, 2025— A significant milestone was reached in the community as The Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System, in partnership with the YWCA and the EBR Ready Start Network, celebrated the grand opening of the YWCA Microcenter at Capitol Elementary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This event marks a major expansion of early childhood education in the East Baton Rouge area, ensuring that more children have access to high-quality learning experiences from an early age.

A Step Forward in Early Education

The new YWCA Microcenter is a result of more than $150,000 in funding secured by The Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System, with generous contributions from The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation, ExxonMobil, the Academic Distinction Fund, and individual donors. This support makes it possible for the community to offer a vital resource to local families—an opportunity for their children to begin their educational journey in an environment designed to foster early literacy, social-emotional development, and school readiness.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by key leaders from The Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System, YWCA, the EBR Ready Start Network, the East Baton Rouge Parish School District, as well as local government officials and community partners. The event provided attendees with the opportunity to tour the new facility, meet the educators who will be guiding the children, and gain insight into the Microcenter's mission.

Providing Access to High-Quality Education

As part of the broader effort to expand early learning opportunities across the district, the YWCA Microcenter at Capitol Elementary is helping ensure that more children enter kindergarten prepared to succeed. The educational approach engages children through sensory activities and foundational learning, laying the groundwork for their future development. "Yesterday, we spent some time in the classroom working on sensory activities, discussing things like 'How does this feel?', 'What shape is it?', and 'What color is it?'. These are all essential steps in building a strong foundation for their future,” Dianna Payton, CEO of the YWCA added. 

A Bright Future Ahead

The YWCA Microcenter has made an impact in boosting the learning levels of children participating in its programs. With a focus on early literacy and social-emotional growth, the center is helping children prepare for kindergarten and beyond.