Yavapai Child Care Coalition Conference Draws Over 160 Early Educators

On Saturday, October 19^th at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, the Yavapai Child Care Coalition held “Sowing the Seeds of Tomorrow,” a conference that drew over 160 child care professionals from across the county and surrounding areas.  The Yavapai Child Care Coalition, a grassroots organization that brings child care providers together for support, camaraderie, and direct access to resources, has organized annual conferences -sponsored by First Things First- since 2009.

 “With the tools and education provided at these conferences, child care providers are given opportunities to learn and share their ideas,” said Kate Delafield, Yavapai Child Care Coalition member.

“These conferences give me the opportunity to stay fresh and on top of new things,” said Jill Wagner, child care provider at Sacred Heart Preschool in Prescott. “Here, child care providers are able to ‘steal’ ideas from each other. It’s great to be around others in our field, and learn new skills and activities we can use to help prepare children for kindergarten.” This is the third Yavapai Child Care Coalition that Wagner has attended with her colleagues.



Dana Naimark of Children’s Action Alliance

 

Dana Naimark, President and CEO of Children’s Action Alliance, gave the conference’s keynote address, in which she spoke about the current state of the early childhood field in Arizona and thanked child care providers for their hard work.  “About half of young children in Yavapai County have all parents working. Quality child care and early education is in tremendous demand,” Naimark said to the conference participants. “You are shaping the future and changing children’s lives.”

Naimark said that in Arizona, less than a third of 4-year-olds are enrolled in preschool- the second lowest rate of preschool enrollment in the country. Naimark spoke about the different initiatives in Arizona that are working to improve early learning and health for young children ages birth to five years, including BUILD Arizona and First Things First.



Research shows that children who attend quality child care or preschool have better math, language, social skills, and are more successful when they enter school. Naimark urged conference participants to spread the word about the importance of early childhood education and health to the future of Arizona. “Investment in early childhood will help us achieve the goals Arizona has set, including prosperity for the whole state, lowering the number of children in foster care, increasing 3^rd grade reading scores and building a strong economy,” said Naimark.



Participants share a delicious meal prepared by Chef Jim Cabral at the 

 Yavapai Child Care Coalition Conference.

 

The Yavapai Child Care Coalition looks forward to organizing future conferences, bringing together local child care professionals to learn new skills and share ideas so that they may help the young children in their care build a strong foundation for success.

The Yavapai Child Care Coalition Conferences are supported in part by First Things First. For more information about First Things First, please visit ReadyAZKids.com.