AZECA (Arizona Early Childhood Alliance) is an alliance of 40 cross sector partner statewide that serve as Arizona’s shared and unified voice on early childhood. The group’s goal is to ensure all Arizona children are prepared for kindergarten and are on track to succeed by the end of third grade.

AZECA early childhood experts create a shared voice for early childhood in Arizona; AZECA business and community leaders are engaged to take on Arizona early childhood issues that impact workforce development and the economy; Government officials receive useful resources to improve early childhood policy; and Constituents are informed and engaged by AZECA members.

First Things First is committed to helping Arizona kids five and younger receive the quality education, healthcare and family support they need to arrive at school healthy and ready to succeed.

Quality First – a signature program of First Things First – partners with child care and preschool providers to improve the quality of early learning across Arizona. Quality First offers parents information about the importance of quality early care and education and what to look for in child care and preschool settings that promote learning.

EXPECT MORE EXCELLENCE TOUR

Great things are happening in education in Arizona and we want people to know about them. Countless students, educators, parents and communities are already working to raise the bar. Check out the following examples.

Discovery Gardens Educating the Youngest in the Prescott Community

Prescott, AZ

Prescott Unified School District understands the value in early learning opportunities. Its Discovery Gardens Early Childhood Center has been engaging children between 2 and 5 years old for nearly five decades. What started as an early intervention program in 1975 is now an all-inclusive preschool opportunity for local children, serving a number of low income …

Submitted by Stacy Williams on 4/17/19

Tempe Invests in Early Learning and Creates Preschool Classes for Low-Income Residents

Tempe, AZ

Despite the fact that quality early learning experiences have big benefits, few Arizona youth have the chance to prepare adequately for kindergarten. The early years of a child’s learning are some of the most formative, and the city of Tempe has taken big steps toward helping all of their children succeed. A pilot project that …

Submitted by Marie Raymond on 7/2/18

Young children living in poverty get “Head Start” through Greater Phoenix Urban League

Phoenix, AZ

For more than 50 years, Head Start programs across the country have been helping children prepare for their academic journey. The comprehensive program goes beyond basic school readiness, to include health and other family services to those living in poverty. The Greater Phoenix Urban League, in particular, is one of the largest programs in the …

Submitted by Natalie Alvarez on 10/24/18

A variety of early learning programs in Higley Unified are giving kids a bright start

Gilbert, AZ

A certified teacher in every class. Kids learning Spanish and practicing Mandarin. Specialty programs for gifted youth. Higley Unified School District has gone well beyond traditional early learning settings with their specialty preschools. And it’s not without good reason – children’s brains are developing rapidly in the first few years of life, and their exposure …

Submitted by Patti Gleason on 4/3/18