The R2LP Early Learning Center at CCRI

In October 2008, R2LP opened a preschool on the Liston Campus of the Community College of Rhode Island. In its first year, the classroom served up to 16 three- to five-year-olds who no longer qualified for child-care subsidies because of the state's new eligibility requirements. The program was funded through R2LP's U.S. Department of Education Early Reading First (ERF) grant and was offered at no cost to Providence families who qualified.

In August 2009, the classroom was chosen as one of seven sites in the state's Pre-kindergarten Demonstration Project. The program, which is free, serves 18 four-year-olds (chosen by lottery) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Extended child care is provided, but parents are responsible for that cost. The classroom is staffed by two experienced teachers, Bethany Carpenter and Victoria Rojas, who are assisted by two R2LP AmeriCorps members.

The Providence Journal highlighted the R2LP classroom and the importance of high-quality early-care education in a story on June 23, 2010. 

The R2LP classroom has earned a four-star ranking from BrightStars, the state's new quality rating and improvement system.

On February 26, 2010, the classroom hosted a delegation of state officials, educators and policymakers.

Media Archives
On October 22, 2009, the pre-kindergarten class visited the law offices of Brown Rudnick, a funder of R2LP's AmeriCorps program. The Providence Journal joined the class on the visit and captured it in a video and in pictures.

A Providence Journal article on the original program appeared on January 4, 2009.