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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

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.
Dr. Christian Osmena

FTF Board welcomes newest member

  • board

The First Things First state Board recently welcomed its newest member, Dr. Christian Osmeña.
little girl standing with woman in glasses looking at her

Efforts expand to support the social and emotional health of young children during challenging times

  • mental health

An influx of federal money will allow more providers to access early childhood mental health consultation during a climate of uncertainty.
A woman in black t-shirt is handing a bag of produce to another woman.

Pilot program successfully helps young children living in food deserts access more fresh, locally…

  • Phoenix South

The farm-to-family model works to distribute locally grown produce to families of young children through FTF’s early childhood partners.

children sitting on church floor listening to a teacher read them a book.

Partnering with faith communities in supporting families and young children

  • AZ communities

Faith communities play an important role in supporting high-quality early childhood experiences to help children be ready for kindergarten.
Teacher holding a young child over a sink helping to wash the child's hands.

Free online child care training launched

  • professional development

Starting Oct. 25, FTF will fund up to 15,000 subscribers to have access to the entire ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) training catalog.
November is National Native American Heritage Month graphic

Reintroducing traditional indigenous foods to keep young children healthy in body, mind and spirit

  • San Carlos Apache

FTF partners with several Arizona tribes to support introducing indigenous foods to their communities’ babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

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