About
Ithaca Welcomes Refugees (IWR) launched Global Roots Play School in September 2017 to address a gap in affordable childcare for refugee and immigrant parents of young children who seek access to adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Our unique two-generation focus means that we help both mothers and young children, many of whom are girls, have access to life-changing educational opportunities and a community to build upon. Global Roots is a nurturing, half-day early childhood education program where refugee and immigrant women can trust that their young children between the ages of 18 months and five years will be well cared for so that they are free to attend their own English classes.
Girls at Global Roots Play School have the opportunity to learn through play. Through open-ended play, girls are given the chance to problem-solve, make decisions, form peer relationships, develop language, express and process emotions, navigate conflicts, and develop a strong sense of self and confidence. Girls at Global Roots develop self-regulation and build executive functioning skills— two crucial school readiness skills. Girls at Global Roots are discovering and igniting their potential through a high-quality early childhood education program where they are respected, valued, challenged, and supported.
