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News and happenings about First Things First

Hundreds rally at Capitol to show support for early childhood

February 26, 2026
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. Read More

Quality First provider says loss of the program will be a detriment to families with young children

1/8/2024
Phoenix North

Little Giants is one of about 400 child care providers scheduled to lose access to Quality First professional development and other benefits.

FTF report details challenges facing Arizona’s youngest children

1/4/2024
early childhood

Building Bright Futures, 2023 Statewide Needs and Assets Annual Report is FTF’s biennial assessment of the status of young children.

Woman wearing a red tshirt is in a classroom working with small chlidren gathered around a table with shapes. Child care shortages in Arizona.

Child care shortages cost Arizona $4.7 billion every year

12/9/2023
AZ communities

A newly released report says Arizona loses $4.7 billion each year because of the lack of availability of child care for children under age 5.

Arizona survey shows child care challenges impacting working families and their jobs

11/9/2023
child care

A recent survey of Arizona’s working parents shows that 35% said they have left a job in the past year due to child care issues.

More than 400 Arizona child care programs benefited from emergency investment in quality child…

11/3/2023
Quality First

Over the past 3 years, using federal funds, 413 child care providers were able to join the Quality First program.

Native American woman breastfeeding a baby girl.

Supporting young Navajo families through traditional practices during and after pregnancy

10/20/2023
Navajo Nation

As part of FTF’s celebration of Native American Heritage month, we will host free panel sessions in November to learn about Arizona’s tribes.

Woman holding extra large check for $1,000

First scholar completes Child Development Associate credential through FTF support

10/12/2023
professional development

Karen Preston recently became the first scholar in Arizona to complete her CDA through online courses sponsored by First Things First.

Federal pandemic era assistance to Arizona’s child care industry is ending. What does that mean…

10/11/2023
child care crisis

Federal child care assistance is ending as advocates warn of a child care cliff that jeopardizes working families, employers and Arizona’s economy.

First Things First 2023 Annual Report highlights outcomes of work and collaboration in Arizona

9/15/2023
early childhood

Today’s babies, toddlers and preschoolers are our state’s generation next—the generation that in just a couple of decades will be entering the workforce…

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