To close out the fall season, we took two family trips. Both in Queens and Brooklyn, we spent time together visiting farm spaces. The dynamic seems simple and innocent: a family day with the children who attend our early childhood programs. However, the intention is much bigger—more optimistic, more ambitious.

Our priority is clear: the holistic and safe development of our children. For this reason, we believe in families. And by families we don’t only mean biological ties, but also the entire community that, day by day, contributes its grain of sand with commitment, love, and patience to support children’s development. Educators and assistants are part of that family. Family workers who help with children’s enrollment in the programs are part of that family. Educational specialists who care for the quality of teaching curricula are part of that family. And of course, beyond mom and dad, there are also the families closest to us—those who attend the same programs.

In short, educational plans aimed at supporting children’s development are incomplete without these strong family bonds. Families created by the communities that support us day by day. Families that are the heart and lungs of the communities where our children will grow up.

As we enter the month of December, at PS Family we fully commit to seeing our extended families as the safe communities where our children will grow. We are committed to supporting children’s well-being by finding collective solutions to the challenges we face. Creating extended families within our community foundations means expanding the safe spaces where our children can better understand the world and experience full development. Building secure bonds, especially in times like these, is building better spaces of care.