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Celebrate the young child through efforts to advance support for early care and learning

  • AZ communities

The week runs April 6-12 and is an annual nationwide celebration that focuses attention on early learning and its educators.
Three preschool-aged children around a small table playing with blocks. One child is sitting with an adult, who is helping him.

Free northern Arizona preschool program elevates quality and affordability for families

  • preschoolers

 The preschool program is currently funded through 11 grants from a combination of partners, along with federal pandemic relief funding.
boy in graduation cap with family behind him

Helping Arizonans understand the starting lines of kindergarten

  • AZ communities

Chad Gestson wants to help Arizona’s influential leaders understand why early childhood education is essential to the economy.
A backyard playground with a playhouse, artificial turf, slide and play tunnel.

Tucson home care provider expands her capacity to care for more children

  • Pima North

Home-based child care providers, like Camila’s Playhouse, are a home away from home where children are treated as members of the family.
FTF CEO Melinda Morrison Gulick stands at a podium speaking at the United Way breakfast event.

Tucson business and education community show up in a big way for early childhood at awards breakfast

  • early childhood

The breakfast, Early Education is Everyone’s Business, brought together more than 600 business leaders and educators to champion the cause.

Prescott Valley child care director reimagines outdoor learning space through infrastructure grant

  • child care

Arizona child care providers received nearly $60 million to improve their facilities increasing access to early childhood learning spaces.
Steve Lynn, Awarded the 2024 Business Champion for Early Education Award at the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Women United Business Breakfast in Tucson

FTF State Board Vice Chair honored as business champion for early education

  • board

The award recognizes someone who has significantly contributed to the quality and access of early education in Tucson and southern Arizona. 
Globe/Payson Community Forums

Community forums explore child care solutions for Gila County

  • child care

The FTF Gila Region and partnered with local chambers of commerce in Globe-Miami and Payson to talk about the child care crisis.
Group of people gathered at Early Childhood Day.

Early childhood supporters show up in force at the Arizona Capitol

Early Childhood Day gathered supporters to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood education with state lawmakers. 

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