For Parents
For Parents. To help you do the best you can, here’s some information, tools and resources for supporting your child’s healthy development and learning.
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- Quality Child Care and Preschool
Families Can Take Action
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About FTF
About FTF. Created by Arizona voters, First Things First partners with families and communities to help our state’s young children be ready for success in kindergarten and beyond.
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FTF 2025 Annual Report provides in-depth look at investments
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Grants
Grants. First Things First invests in strategies and programs that support the development, health and learning of children from birth to age 5 (before kindergarten).
- Grant Opportunities
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- Strategy Toolkit
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Advocate for Early Childhood
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Get Involved
Get Involved. First Things First partners with families and communities to give all Arizona children the opportunity to arrive at kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed.
- Serve Your AZ Community
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- Arizona Employer Child Care Toolkit
- Advocate for Early Childhood
Business Impact of Child Care Calculator
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Parenting Blog

Information and inspiration for parents and caregivers of babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

The reality of starting preschool: tears, cheers and how to cope

August 13, 2026
child care school readiness

The first day is done. Maybe it went great or there were tears (yours or theirs, or both). Either way, here’s the truth nobody tells you. The first day isn’t actually the hard part. The next few weeks are. This is when the newness… Read More

caregiver talks with baby while feeding

Need quality child care for your infant?

3/12/2019
infants

There are quality child care programs in communities across Arizona, and there are things you can look for and ask about to help you feel more confident in…

national reading month

Children’s books open a world of words and ideas

2/28/2019
language & literacy

Librarian Wendy Resnik shares how bonding with books helps spark your child’s curiosity and introduces them to new words.

Quality First provides resources to help Arizona families find quality child care

Tools to help you choose quality child care programs

2/7/2019
child care

The new QualityFirstAZ.com offers tools and information to help you find an early learning program that’s right for your family.

babies sleep more when they're more active

Physical activity helps babies get more sleep

1/17/2019
sleep

New research shows that being more active in the day can help babies sleep more at night. And tummy time is a great way to boost physical activity.

baby girl playing with puzzle together with mom and sister

Pediatricians say simple toys are best

12/21/2018
play

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends basic toys that encourage imagination and interaction between parent and child.

Premature child at birth and at his second birthday

Why our preemie son’s second birthday was so special

12/17/2018
child development

With support, most babies born prematurely will catch up to their full-term peers by the time they turn 2.

new tool for parents to find early childhood programs in Arizona

Find early childhood programs in your Arizona community

12/8/2018
AZ communities

Use our new search tool to learn about and connect with early childhood programs near you.

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