Newport Independent Schools, Learning Grove and EducateNKY have entered into a one-of-its-kind partnership that will bring full-day, year-round childcare into Newport Primary School.
Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, Learning Grove will operate a full-day childcare program at Newport Primary School, providing care Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for 48 weeks each year. The program will give enrollment preference to Newport preschool students and their families, helping create a seamless early learning experience from preschool through kindergarten.
The Newport School Board voted unanimous 5-0 in support of the partnership.
EducateNKY is providing a startup investment to launch the program, including funding for operations and facility improvements.
The partnership establishes a coordinated early learning model that intentionally connects public preschool, high-quality childcare, family engagement and community support to better prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond.
To the partners’ knowledge, this is the only current initiative of its kind in NKY and is intended to serve as a demonstration model that can inform future early learning partnerships throughout the region and across Kentucky.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to giving every child the strongest possible start before they ever walk into a kindergarten classroom,” said Matt Atkins, superintendent of Newport Independent Schools. “By bringing together our public preschool program, Learning Grove’s high-quality childcare services and EducateNKY’s regional leadership, we’re making it easier for families to access the support they need while creating a more connected educational experience for our youngest learners.”
The partnership builds upon the work of Read Ready Newport, a collaborative initiative led by the city of Newport, Newport Independent Schools, and numerous community partners focused on improving early literacy, strengthening family partnerships and increasing kindergarten readiness for children from birth through age five.
As part of the agreement, the three organizations will work together to evaluate participation, family engagement, kindergarten readiness and long-term student outcomes, helping identify best practices that could be replicated in other communities.
“We’ve had the privilege of serving communities that put children first for nearly 50 years, and we’re grateful to continue that work alongside the schools, families and partners who make Newport such a special place for young learners to thrive,” said Learning Grove CEO Shannon Starkey-Taylor.”
The partnership will remain in place through June 2029 and includes ongoing evaluation and data-sharing efforts designed to measure outcomes and strengthen the model over time.
“This partnership shows what it looks like to put kindergarten readiness at the center while also meeting the real needs of working families,” said Cheye Calvo, president and CEO of EducateNKY. “By bringing public preschool and a trusted child care provider together under one roof, Newport is creating a full-day, coordinated experience that is easier for families and stronger for children. It also offers a practical model for how schools, providers, local leaders and community partners can work together to build a more connected early learning system across Northern Kentucky.”