Seven-year old Emma Mendieta Idrovo is an early learning scholarship success story. Emma’s family relocated back to Minnesota from Ecuador when she was just a toddler. She could only speak Spanish, and her mom, Liss Idrovo, worried that she would struggle when she went to kindergarten, just as her older brother Ethan had.

“School was much harder for him,” said Liss. “He didn’t know the language and he was behind at first.”

Liss understood that early education could make a huge difference in preparing Emma for school and beyond.  She applied for, and Emma received, an early learning scholarship to attend a high-quality early childhood program near her home in Bloomington, MN.

“I learned how to make friends and listen to my teachers.  I learned to read and write,” said Emma.

Emma, who just finished the first grade at Normandale Hills Elementary School in Bloomington, MN, is thriving.

“I am such a good reader now that I was picked to read a story to this year’s kindergarten class,” she said.

Emma’s story is a perfect example of how Early Learning Scholarships work!  By supporting high-quality care for families who could not otherwise afford it, our littlest Minnesotans are getting ready for kindergarten, and families are able to choose the type of Parent Aware-rated child care program that is best for their situation.  This is an effective way to support the whole family.

Thanks to Emma’s early learning scholarship, Liss was able to go back to work, and get herself an education, which helped her get a better job and secure a better future for her family. She is now employed by Children’s Hospital as a Community Resource Navigator.

“This opportunity wasn’t just good for her, and amazing for her, but it was also amazing for me,” said Liss.  “And if it’s amazing for me, it’s amazing for our little family.”