Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Payton, Jr. will visit Tickle Me Pink Daycare and Learning Center on October 6, 2016 to show support for early childhood education by reading from a favorite children’s book to the center’s 4-year-olds as part of Georgia’s Pre-K Week.

Launched five years ago, Pre-K Week’s support from government, business and community leaders grows every year. This year, the Georgia School Boards Association joins as a Pre-K Week partner, and Georgia Power, Synovus Bank and Scholastic return as corporate sponsors. Additional key supporters include Gov. Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal.

During the state’s official Pre-K Week Oct. 3-7, Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Payton, Jr. is one of hundreds officials who will visit Pre-K centers across the state to witness early learning in action and engage children and educators. The statewide celebration, which includes all 159 counties, draws attention to early learning, including Pre-K, a hallmark program that was pioneered in Georgia 22 years ago.

“We are excited to have Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Payton, Jr visit our center to show our children their community cares about their education,” said Pamela Carter, owner/director of Tickle Me Pink Daycare and Learner Center. “The enthusiasm and support we receive from leaders across the state shows they understand the value of early learning to ensure school readiness, higher graduation rates and lifelong empowerment.”

Mayor Pro Tem Alvin Payton, Jr.  will be at Tickle Me Pink from approximately 10:00 a.m. until about 11:00 am on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 252 N. St. Augustine Rd. While there, he will participate in a reading activity with the children, take a tour of the facility, talk with the staff, and get an up-close look at the many ways that the center is supporting early learning.

“The support of such influential public and private organizations is a powerful statement about the value of children’s education and learning in the early years,” said Emily Pelton, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children, the child advocacy organization that organizes Pre-K Week each year, along with its partners. “Investment in early childhood education creates the foundation necessary for a child to succeed in nearly every phase of life, from learning to read successfully by third grade to graduating high school and entering the workforce.”

Local business owners will participate in the reading activity at Tickle Me Pink Daycare and Learning Center as well. Dewayne and Amanda Johnson owners of Bridge Builders, will kick off our week Monday morning (9:30a.m). They will be followed by Ms. LaToya’s Crawford of LaToya’s School of dance on Tuesday (10:30a.m.) On Wednesday, Georgia Power (our host partner), Tiffany Thomas (9:15am.) and Epic Advertising owner Angela Ward (1:30p.m.) will read to our children.