For Some Families, Saving for College Starts at Daycare

When playtime comes around, a 3-year-old probably isn’t picturing their future. But at Catholic Charities Northside Child Development Center, its teachers certainly are for them.

“Even at six weeks old, we have a curriculum that is focused on education, focused on milestones,” said Kim Osborn, program director at Northside Child Development Center.

The center is licensed to care for 129 kids at a time. During the school year, it’s primarily daycare age. During the summer, school-age kids attend as well. Osborn says they focus on wraparound care — which includes family engagement, therapeutic intervention and early education. 

One student at the child development center is 3-year-old Charles. His mom used to teach there and his older brother is an alum. Osborn said a facility like this sets kids like Charles up for success in grade school.

“Just investing and showing the kids that what you’re doing at an early age is building you up for what you can do later,” Osborn said.

Osborn said their focus on an educational environment is designed to get them to see themselves in education in the future.

“You know, a lot of the kids, they don’t know what to think about after this place or after high school. So just getting that seed planted that the next step is college, the next step is community college, it’s technical college. It’s something,” Osborn said. “And you have the support of the community… to promote the next steps.”

Three-year-old Charles, a longtime student at NCDC, plays at the center’s indoor playground. He’s one of many students benefiting from the college savings account program.

Local Partnership

A partnership with Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), a network of organizations fighting multi-generational poverty, is taking that preparation one step further. Most of the youngest students at NCDC will receive financial support for their future: a college savings account preloaded with $500.

Quinton Witherspoon, program manager of Wealth Builds Minneapolis, part of the NAZ umbrella, said families can set up the account to gain interest and deposit money into it as they wish. Kids are not able to withdraw money from the account until they are getting ready for post-secondary opportunities, like college or work training. 

“It allows us to invest in our scholars early, to support their goals after high school, whether it’s college, career training or any other pathway,” Witherspoon said.

The college savings accounts are housed locally at Old National Bank in Brooklyn Center. Branch manager Elsie Nsoh said housing a program like this fits with her goals to serve her neighbors and build financial literacy.

“We really care about you and your future and your family, and we really care about our community. Being part of this program really showcases that,” Nsoh said.

Elsie Nsoh manages Old National Bank in Brooklyn Center. She said housing these accounts fits into her bank’s mission.

A Look into the Future

Charles’ mom Jasmine Haymer is teaching him to color inside and outside the lines. Over the weekend, she took him to Old National Bank to celebrate and set up his account. She said this opportunity is amazing for his future.

“Big difference, because me growing up, I never had anything like this. So, especially, to be able to start it young for them and have them understand the whole process of it,” Haymer said.

No matter Charles’ future dreams, she knows it can help bring his future into focus. Even if that’s not his focus right now.

“I just think it’s a great program. I love that they’re offering it to families, and I hope that it stays around for a long time,” Haymer said.

Charles colors with his mom, Jasmine Haymer.

Brooklyn Center | Robbinsdale | Twin Cities