A Family Legacy
As the third generation of her family to work in early childhood education, Dr. Paula Polito brings a unique perspective to this crucial industry. In 1974, her grandmother founded the organization that is now Beary Cherry Tree, and Dr. Polito carries out this family legacy many decades later. Rated Highly Proficient by the Louisiana Department of Education, this childcare center provides developmental programs for many young children, from infants through pre-Kindergarten.
In addition to the decades of family wisdom that have been collected in the institution, Dr. Polito incorporates the latest research in early childhood development into the classroom as well. The teachers work to provide these children a foundation for lifelong learning.
Dr. Polito has also applied a lifelong pursuit of education to her own goals, as she holds a degree in marketing, an MBA, and a recent doctorate in Urban Studies. During her dissertation, Dr. Polito identified what really works in terms of early childhood education support: getting buy-in from local government officials, educators, and the community overall. When more people realize the significance of this work, it is easier to move the needle.
Jefferson Ready Start Network: Supporting Crucial Care
Dr. Polito stressed that relationship building is crucial to providing real resources for children. Thanks to her work on the board of the Jefferson Ready Start Network (JRSN), a collective that supports early childhood education access across Jefferson Parish, Dr. Polito helps identify children in need of this care. In fact, the Jefferson Parish Council is so dedicated to this cause that they have invested ~$250,000 each year over the past four years. Because that donation gets doubled by an early childhood trust at the state level, this means $500,000 is available for children from birth to age four who need access to early childhood education.
As Dr. Polito explained, the team at JRSN aspires to become a model for early childhood education, and they accomplish this in part by building a sustainable fund for this cause. By bringing together the right stakeholders and community advocates, they can create lasting change for all children across the parish.
In addition, Dr. Polito and her colleagues hope to educate more people on the importance of early childhood education in general. One fact is clear: this type of education is not just babysitting. In fact, these professionals are sometimes known as brain architects. The educators can help create a strong foundation for these children at a crucial stage of their development. These teachers are trained on research-based tools that they use with intentionality and consistency, thus setting up these children for success.
For the most part, the educators’ immediate goal is to help these students become socially, emotionally, and academically prepared for kindergarten. Students who are not exposed to such high-quality programs may take longer to reach these milestones, which can in turn require additional time and effort from future educators. When more students have access to these high-quality systems from their earliest years, everyone wins.
Future Goals
Focusing on the youngest members of the parish makes some serious long-term goals possible. In fact, one particular goal is to make Jefferson Parish a place where early childhood development and economic prosperity go hand-in-hand. The broader impact of these programs is difficult to overstate. Parents have an easier time participating in the workforce because their children have a beneficial place to go every day. This helps the economy thrive.
In addition, the positive influences of these programs help prepare these children for the workforce later on in life. Polito hopes to gain awareness of these programs in her role as 2026 Chair for the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. For the most part, getting businesses to invest in high quality early childcare and education helps drive action and naturally create more positive experiences for these children, as well as their families, overall.
As a local small business owner, as well as someone with a deep background in educating the youngest children, Dr. Polito offers a unique breadth of understanding to this topic. “When you invest in children, you invest in everything: families, businesses, and the economy,” said Dr. Polito.
Contact
Beary Cherry Tree
bearycherrytree.com
@bearycherrytree
Jefferson Ready Start Network
jeffersonreadystartnetwork.com
@jeffersonreadystartnetwork
