MARION — School Committee members got some updates on the district’s youngest learners at a May 20 meeting, including a move toward certification for the high school pre-school program. 

Assistant Superintendent Michael Nelson is working the certification effort for the high school’s early childhood program, which allows students to take a course in early childhood development and teach under a classroom lead. 

Many of the pre-schools in the area look to hire students with that experience. Getting certification to classify the course as a career vocational program would also open the district up to more funding from the state. Students could also leave with an early childhood certification, if they meet certain obligations for hours worked at the program. 

“We have the skeleton in place,” that would need to be there for the certification, so why not try for it, Nelson asked. 

The next step would be a safety inspection when kids and instructors are back in the classroom, which Nelson feels confident the school could pass. 

Nichole Daniel, the school committee’s representative to the Early Childhood Council thought it would be a great opportunity for the students. “I was so excited for that program at the high school,” she said.