Primrose Schools® Families Donate More Than $250,000 to Children's Foundation

ATLANTA, Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Families, students and staff of Primrose Schools, The Leader In Educational Child Care^™, raised more than a quarter million dollars for the Primrose Children's Foundation^®, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the lives of all children. Funding from the $268,160 raised will be donated to the national charitable partners of Primrose Schools, Reach Out and Read and Save the Children, as well as other organizations that support children and families.

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Every year, the more than 270 Primrose schools across the country raise money by hosting unique Spring Fling events that build on the Primrose character development program, which helps children internalize a commitment to helping others at an early age. Events such as book fairs, art sales and carnivals are just some of the activities that engage the students, parents, staff, local businesses and the community in support of important causes. Many schools donate a portion of the money raised to a local charity in addition to contributing to the Primrose Children's Foundation.

The Primrose Children's Foundation combines the fundraising efforts from its schools to create an even greater positive impact. Through the years, the Children's Foundation has partnered with a number of prestigious organizations that support children and families. Primrose Schools' longtime partner, Reach Out and Read, focuses its efforts on the importance of early literacy for all children. Since its inception in 2005, the Primrose Children's Foundation has donated more than $1.2 million to Reach Out and Read, providing access to more than 250,000 books for at-risk children and families.

This year's donation will also benefit Primrose Schools' newest charitable partner, Save the Children, a world-leading child advocacy organization. Save the Children has robust and impactful programs in the United States that provide children living in poverty with the skills and resources they need to succeed in school and thrive in life. Its emergency programs aim to ensure all children will be safe and protected when disaster strikes.

"As Primrose continues to grow, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to all children and their families," said Jo Kirchner, president and CEO of Primrose Schools. "Through a collaborative effort between our more than 270 schools nationwide, the Primrose Children's Foundation and the organizations we are honored to partner with, we continue to live our passion for philanthropy, while helping to teach the next generation of young leaders the importance of giving back."

To learn more about the spirit of giving in Primrose schools across the country, visit http://www.primroseschools.com/about-us/community-service.

About Primrose Schools
Founded in 1982, Primrose Schools is the nation's leader in providing a premier educational child care experience in more than 270 schools in 18 states. Each Primrose is independently owned and operated by our Franchise Owners. They partner with parents to help children build the right foundation for future learning and life, and offer an environment that helps children have fun while nurturing Active Minds, Healthy Bodies and Happy Hearts^®.

The Balanced Learning^® system, consistently delivered in all Primrose schools nationwide, is designed to provide high-quality, educational experiences to support children's social-emotional, cognitive, creative and physical development. It is made up of an exclusive standards-based curriculum that enables teachers to help children gain the knowledge and skills that will enable them to move successfully from one level of development to the next as well-rounded individuals. The system also offers developmentally-appropriate materials and equipment for all classrooms; multiple forms of assessment; and extensive training for teachers. 

Primrose is the first early childhood education organization in the country to receive AdvancED Corporation Systems Accreditation under the new Standards for Quality Early Learning Schools. This accreditation ensures all Primrose schools meet the highest quality standards and shows they are continually improving student learning. For more information, visit www.PrimroseSchools.com.

About Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based, national nonprofit organization of doctors and nurses who prepare America's youngest children to succeed in school by prescribing books and encouraging families to read together. The Reach Out and Read model is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the program has one of the strongest records of research support of any primary care intervention. This year, Reach Out and Read's 20,000 volunteer doctors and nurse practitioners will provide books and critical early literacy advice to 4 million children and their families at 5,000 healthcare locations in all 50 states. To learn more, please visit Reach Out and Read's website at www.reachoutandread.org.

About Save the Children
Save the Children is the leading, independent organization creating lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world by providing them with a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. Save the Children's Get Ready Get Safe initiative helps U.S. communities prepare for worst-case scenarios, generating emergency plans for the most vulnerable victims – children – and making sure supplies and training are in place before disaster strikes. For more information on the Get Ready Get Safe initiative, please visit www.savethechildren.org/GetReady.

SOURCE Primrose Schools