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Week of the Young Child Proclamations 2026

First Things First recently teamed with the Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children (AzAEYC) to celebrate the Week of the Young Child, which highlights the importance of early learning and the educators who support the… Read More

John Giles with RPC Member Melinda Gomez

New FTF Board Member Committed to Arizona’s Kids

  • AZ communities

Former Mesa Mayor John Giles recently joined the First Things First state Board. We asked Giles what it means to join First Things First.

Arizona’s Workforce Starts Earlier Than You Think

Workforce development is often associated with higher education, training, professional development or reskilling. However, the foundation of a strong…

Letter of support asks for stabilized funding for early childhood programs

  • child care crisis

The letter of support included signatures from individuals, local governments, tribal nations, various elected officials and business owners.
2026 Early Childhood Day at the Capitol

Hundreds rally at Capitol to show support for early childhood

  • child care crisis

More than 500 supporters gathered for Early Childhood Day at the Capitol to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood education.

Newly awarded grant opens more access to Quality First

  • Quality First

Five dozen child care providers will be able to enroll in Quality First as a Rating Only participant because of new grant funding.

Heights Church and Upside Preschool: Investing in Child Care

  • case study

For rural areas like Yavapai County, leaders at Heights Church in Prescott Valley prioritized addressing the overwhelming need for child care.

Tempe PRE: Investing in Child Care

  • case study

When Tempe invested in high-quality preschool, improvements went beyond the classroom.
Pima PEEPS

Pima Early Education Program Scholarships (PEEPs): Investing in Child Care

  • case study

Pima County prioritized early childhood education after seeing how limited access affects families and the economy.

Coming together to support Arizona’s youngest children

  • child care crisis

We need everyone’s support to ensure early childhood programming in Arizona remains stable and meets the needs of our young children.

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