The Phil Hardin Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in Meridian, granted $75,000 to Meridian Community College Foundation for continued support of Best Early Education Practices (BEEP) project.

“We’re excited about continuing this partnership with an outstanding program,” said Lloyd Gray, executive director of the Phil Hardin Foundation. The foundation had generously supported the BEEP Project since its beginnings in June 2012.

MCC President Thomas Huebner said the grant dovetails with the college’s efforts in working closely with other entities – public and private – co-utilizing resources to create opportunities for students and community.

BEEP is an early childhood education project that supports children, parents and early childhood educators to best prepare children for kindergarten success and advancement. It is headed by Win Maxey-Shumate, instructor and coordinator for MCC’s Early Childhood Education Technology.

The BEEP Project provides age and developmentally appropriate expectations and activities that promote the development of the whole child. The activities include all curricula areas and encourage the social, emotional, physical, language, math, pre-reading and independence skills that children need before entering a kindergarten classroom.

Maxey-Shumate noted with the end of the seventh year of the project nearing in May, there are 98 families with 132 children and 101 parents/adults actively participating in the parent/child sessions that are held at six of the Meridian Housing Authority sites.

“The BEEP Project has successfully shown that early intervention is key to kindergarten and success,” she said. “With local and national support, we anticipate another productive year by offering best practices to enhance and promote the future of our community.”