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Child care classroom

The Business Side of Child Care

Nearly 100% of child care providers are small businesses. In an industry already stretched thin by narrow profit margins, child care providers can’t cut corners without risking quality of care and education. Many providers are… Read More

Headshot of Melinda Morrison Gulick

Q&A with Melinda Morrison Gulick, CEO of First Things First

  • AZ communities

Melinda Morrison Gulick joined First Things First as Chief Executive Officer on March 7. Read her first impressions and future plans for FTF.
picture of small book with a dog illustration and Hualapai words for dog

New book of common Hualapai words helps families of babies, toddlers and preschoolers encourage…

  • language preservation

A new book in the Hualapai language is designed to support efforts to begin teaching the language early to preserve culture and identity.

Headshot of Melinda Morrison Gulick

Melinda Morrison Gulick chosen to lead FTF as new CEO

  • AZ communities

The First Things First Board recently selected Melinda Morrison Gulick as the agency’s next Chief Executive Officer.
mom reading a book with young boy and girl

Early childhood supporters encouraged to remind families about expanded Child Tax Credit

  • AZ communities

The federal American Rescue Act recently expanded the Child Tax Credit that parents can receive per child.

kindergarten teacher sitting at a table with students.

Statewide assessment will be useful for those who teach children before they reach kindergarten

  • AZ communities

Earlier this year, a statewide Kindergarten Entry Assessment was funded as part of Arizona’s early literacy initiatives.
woman holding newborn baby

Keeping expectant mothers healthy before and after they give birth

  • health & nutrition

The US is the only developed country in the world with a rising maternal mortality rate. And about 60% of maternal deaths are preventable.

children sitting on floor raising both hands

Phoenix child care center changes trajectory from crisis to success with Quality First supports

  • Phoenix South

Participating in Quality First contributed to the center’s growth. Quality First coaches helped the staff change the way they cared for kids.

Report: Don’t forget young kids in COVID-19 recovery

  • data & research

A new FTF report highlights the challenges Arizona’s young children faced before the pandemic, and how some of those barriers have worsened.
child care teacher holding little boy with a toy piece of cake.

Child care providers across Arizona struggle to fill open positions

  • child care

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already challenging hiring process and is reflected across the United States.

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