The Wise Start Early Childhood Project. The W Center for Education Support.

Building communities, one child at a time.

Mr. Rogers
“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say “It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.” Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” – Fred Rogers.

WISE Start is The W’s Center for Education Support initiative to strengthen early childhood systems through family support, educator workforce development, and community partnerships.”

W — Workforce Development: Build strong pipelines for now and the future.
I — Impact: Drive measurable improvements in child readiness and family stability.
S — Systems Change: Advocate for policy shifts and community-wide solutions.
E — Engagement: Center family voice and community leadership in all initiatives.

What we do

  • Support families: Resources, screenings, referrals, and navigation.
  • Strengthen educators: Apprenticeships, scholarships, coaching, and professional learning.
  • Build communities: Coalitions linking education, health, and workforce.
  • Drive innovation: Rural-first pilots that scale regionally and statewide.

Why it matters
High-quality early learning improves school readiness, family stability, and local economies. WISE Start aligns partners to deliver practical solutions for rural communities.

Goals

  • Lead Coalitions: Unite Partners through Excel By 5 & shared accountability
  • Strengthen Families: Expands screenings, referrals, and engagement
  • Grow Educators: Build pipelines, credentials, and professional growth
  • Drive Economic Impact: Position childcare as essential infrastructure
  • Expand Access: Operate resource hubs and close service gaps

Supporters
Made possible through a $500,000 philanthropic gift from Dr. Bonnie Camp, Sibyl Frankenburg, and Steve Kessel to the children of Mississippi. (100K per year, 2025-2029)

Primary MUW coverage
W news post announcing WISE Start and crediting Dr. Bonnie Camp and Sibyl Frankenburg
School of Education news post on the launch

Syndicated and external mentions
Magnolia Tribune roundup noting funding secured by Dr. Bonnie Camp from Sibyl Frankenburg and Steve Kessel
Enterprise-Tocsin reprint
Press Register reprint