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When you read, learn, and share, you’re joining the campaign to change Vermont’s child care system. Start taking action by staying in-the-know with Let’s Grow Kids updates, news, announcements, personal stories, expert articles, and more.
Hundreds Rally at VT State House in Support of Solving Child Care Crisis
Over 700 Vermonters pack State House steps, uniting together to show support for solving the state's child care crisis.
Historic Child Care Bill Passed by VT Legislature with Supermajority Support
Statement from Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids on the Legislature’s passage of the 2023 child care bill.
READ: Lawmakers pass bill to make ‘quantum leap’ in child care investments
The VT Legislature has officially signed off on a bill that will invest more than $120 million annually into child care.
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The Vermont legislature has passed the historic 2023 Child Care Bill, but what does it mean for the state’s early childhood educators? Vermont’s Child Care Campaign delves into what’s in the bill, how it pertains to early childhood educators, and what changes ECEs can look forward to in the coming months.
This month, the Vermont Legislature made history by passing the 2023 Child Care Bill with overwhelming supermajority support from across the political spectrum! But, you must be wondering what’s exactly in the bill and what happens next?
The following is a statement from Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids on the Legislature’s passage of the 2023 child care bill.
Vermont’s child care crisis has never been more dire, and it continues to greatly impact our youngest kids, their families and every one of our communities. Vermonters need long-term public investment in child care. Here’s five reasons why we need action on child care this year.
Nearly 40 child care program owners and directors: The child care crisis in Vermont has never been more dire, and things will only worsen without significant state investment.
Vermont's child care crisis impacts families and businesses all over the state. Here are the real Vermonters representing that struggle in our recent ad.
Over 700 children, parents, grandparents, early childhood educators, employers, and community leaders packed the Vermont State House steps and lawn to rally with over 100 lawmakers from every corner of Vermont and of every political affiliation, uniting together to show support for solving Vermont’s child care crisis.
The following is a statement from Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids on the Senate’s passage of S.56, the 2023 child care bill, by overwhelming supermajority support.
Follow these three simple steps to let your senators know that you want them to vote "yes" on S.56 -- the child care bill.
The Courage to Care Rally is next month! While we gear up to support lawmakers in passing the child care solution, we want to hear from you: why do you have the #couragetocare about solving the child care crisis?
Welcoming the Grassroots Leadership Circle; a special campaign gift from Vermont Women’s Fund; First Children’s Finance’s Vermont Office of Child Care Business and Technical Assistance hired a Business Development Manager; and next steps for the child care bill.
This Black History Month, we're highlighting the continued fight of Black leaders before us to actualize a more equitable child care system for BIPOC families and to ensure a better future for all Vermonters.
Last week Vermonters helped shape our future child care system by sharing their challenges and hopes for the immediate future in testimony with the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.
The Vermont Senate has introduced a historic child care bill, but what does it mean for the state’s early childhood educators? Vermont’s Child Care Campaign delves into what’s in the bill, how it pertains to early childhood educators, and what you can do as ECEs to help pass a solution that fully addresses the child care crisis in 2023.
The Vermont Senate introduced S.56, an act relating to child care and early childhood education this past Wednesday. We break it down in a recorded webinar. Plus: more February updates on the child care the campaign.
The following is a statement from Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids on the child care bill introduced in the Vermont Senate today.
Senator Patrick Leahy directs $10 million to Vermont for community-based projects that will increase child care capacity.
Vermont Edition call-in discussion: The demand for child care in Vermont far exceeds the number of available workers.
This week's blog includes details for a child care bill Q&A, the child care rally, and next steps for Leahy's investment in child care infrastructure.
Welcome to the third edition of the child care campaign’s weekly blog post!
The following is a statement from Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids, in response to Governor Scott’s Budget Address.
The following is a statement from Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids in response to the Child Care and Early Education Financing Study released today.
Welcome to the second edition of the child care campaign’s weekly blog post!
Make a difference in your community by joining the Child Care Campaign's Grassroots Leadership Circle. As a member, you’ll be a leader and spokesperson in Vermont's child care movement..
Welcome to the first edition of the child care campaign’s weekly blog post, intended to provide the latest and greatest updates from the campaign as we move through legislative session.
The following is a statement from Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids, in response to Governor Scott’s Inaugural Address.
The following is a statement from Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids on the start of the 2023 Legislative Session and the work ahead to end Vermont’s Child Care Crisis.
With the 2023 Legislative Session around the corner, we invited Vermont’s newly-elected lawmakers to attend these regional Action Team meetings so they could meet YOU – the child care voters – directly!
Let’s Grow Kids congratulates wave of candidates committed to child care systems-change this coming legislative session
Dan Yates is President and CEO of Brattleboro Savings and Loan.
This commentary is by three Chittenden County business leaders: Carina Hamel, co-founder of Bivo; Aba Grace, chief operating officer at Hula; and Tim Wall, general partner for The Fund at Hula.
This is an op-ed from Sam Hooper, president of Vermont Glove in Randolph about how VT small businesses need public investment in child care.
As part of the Vermont Child Care Campaign’s October Month of Action, child care programs across the state this past week hosted tours for Vermont’s House and Senate candidates!
Child Care opinion piece from Roland and Lisa Groeneveld who are the co-founders of OnLogic in South Burlington, and Eli and Nina Lesser-Goldsmith who are the co-owners of Health Living which has locations in South Burlington and Williston.
Elections are your chance to make your voice heard! We wanted to take a moment to talk to you about why this election is so critical for Vermont’s future.
This is an op-ed from Aly Richards, CEO of LGK and Dmitri Garder, CEO of Global Z International in Bennington in response to the state's system's-analysis reporter that came out July.
Op-ed from Michael Monte who is the Chief Executive Officer of Champlain Housing Trust in Burlington, Stephanie Lane who is the Executive Director of Shires Housing in Bennington, and Andrew Winter who is the Executive Director of Twin Pines Housing Trust in White River Junction.
Below is an official statement from Let’s Grow Kids CEO Aly Richards, in response to the recently released report Vermont Child Care and Early Childhood Education Systems Analysis:
“This early childhood education systems analysis details what we’ve known for years. Our child care system isn't working…
Join us for the Final Report & Recommendations from Vermont's Child Care and Early Childhood Education Systems Analysis at a virtual briefing on Monday, July 11, 2022, from 1-2 p.m.
Do Good Fest is a free, family-friendly event held on The Lawn at National Life Group. Let's Grow Kids will be hosting a table as part of the "non-profit village".
This five-part series is designed to share our findings about innovations that could work in improving child care access, quality and affordability to create an equitable system that works for us all.
Let’s Grow Kids is proud to be a sponsor of the Inaugural Black Experience 2022 (BX22) which is a free holistic celebration of Vermont’s Black lived experience (cultural, communal, educational), and a welcomed new addition to Burlington’s Juneteenth celebration.
Sign up below to join us to share information at the Let's Grow Kids table and Kids Zone at this in person event.
Join us at Foam Brewers, 112 Lake Street Burlington, to enjoy this fun in person event featuring DJ Matt Hagen, exclusively breed beer Toys from the Attic, and light refreshments. Bingo Cards and Beer on tap for purchase all benefiting Lets Grow Kids!
Learn how to use digital tools, like email and social media, to become a stronger child care advocate within your existing networks and create meaningful connections with families in your program.
Join us for an hour of conversation with nurses from VDH! Please submit questions ahead of time and hear up-to-date information.
Join us for an hour of conversation with nurses from VDH! Please submit questions ahead of time and hear up-to-date information. This webinar's focus will be summer safety, along with COVID updates and information on the vaccine for young children.
A two part series that will serve to review the current experiences of collaboratives and networks in VT, lessons to be learned from national partners, and to identify both regional and statewide next steps to strengthen our early childhood businesses through sharing services.
A two part series that will serve to review the current experiences of collaboratives and networks in VT, lessons to be learned from national partners, and to identify both regional and statewide next steps to strengthen our early childhood businesses through sharing services.
On May 12, 2022, the Vermont Legislature concluded its 2021-2022 legislative biennium. The 2021-2022 biennium saw major momentum on child care, charting a course for lasting child care transformation and making strategic investments to sustain Vermont’s child care system through the pandemic.
The Vermont Business Roundtable (VBR) stated their support for public investment in a childcare system that meets the needs of all Vermont children, families, and employers.
The Regional Development Corporations of Vermont (RDCs of VT) announced their collective support for prioritizing investment in an early childhood care and education system that meets the needs of all Vermonters.
CEO Aly Richard's joined Vermont Edition's April 28th show to discuss the impact of the ongoing child care crisis on Vermont's economy, as well as shared newly released economic impact data.
Dr. Alan Guttmacher shares three major takeaways from a recent convening of national advocates, investors, and local leaders focused on solving our child care crisis.
New Data Shows Vermont Would See $755 Million Annual Economic Boost from Publicly Funded Child Care
Today, Main Street Alliance (MSA) and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) announced their endorsement of Vermont’s Child Care Campaign, affirming their support for public investment in a child care system that meets the needs of all Vermont children, families and businesses.
On Wednesday April 27th, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and employers of every size, from every industry and every county in Vermont will gather for an event at the State House in Montpelier to declare their support for Vermont’s Child Care Campaign and public investment in a strong and stable child care system that meets the needs of all Vermont’s children, families, businesses, and economy.
We have officially passed the halfway point in the legislative session. Here’s the official mid-session Child Care Campaign Update.
A Bennington health care group plans to build a child care center at the former Southern Vermont College campus with the help of $827,000 in congressional funding.
I came of age at a time when No Child Left Behind was being implemented and arts programs were being slashed left and right in favor of what was being referred to as “rigorous academics.” Because I experienced some really fabulous arts programs as a kid and teenager, I became an arts advocate as a young…
We just released the latest version of our Stalled at the Start (SATS) report which analyzes supply of and demand for regulated child care for children birth to five in Vermont every two years. The report is 66 pages long, but if you don’t have that kind of time, here are the main things you need to know.
Throughout our country's history, Black people have made countless contributions to our society through music, inventions, sports, and early childhood education.
Here's a recap of what was said about child care. Throughout the hearing, we heard from community and business leaders, parents, and early childhood educators.
Find your pathway by joining Let's Grow Kids' Heather Duhamel over Zoom for an early childhood educator licensure advising session.
Find your pathway by joining Let's Grow Kids' Heather Duhamel over Zoom for an early childhood educator licensure advising session.
Find your pathway by joining Let's Grow Kids' Heather Duhamel over Zoom for an early childhood educator licensure advising session.
Find your pathway by joining Let's Grow Kids' Heather Duhamel over Zoom for an early childhood educator licensure advising session.
Find your pathway by joining Let's Grow Kids' Heather Duhamel over Zoom for an early childhood educator licensure advising session.
If you missed out, here is a recap of what went down during our 2022 Policy Briefings which took place on Thursday, Jan. 27.
The following trainings will be offered for Child Care Centers.
Join this informational session to learn more about Wonderschool!
Learn the three phases or employee recruitment, hiring and retention. Analyze current hiring and employee retention processes. Identify strategies to recruit qualified teachers. Review best practices for hiring new employees. Understand the importance of a holistic employee orientation process. Develop strategies to increase staff leadership development.
Three-Year Vision & Business Life Cycle and Transitions
Planning Tools and Competencies & Transition Tactics
The following trainings will be offered for Family Child Care Programs.
Explore new opportunities for quality in your individual professional development, program offerings, and business operations. Using the case study of Angie’s Daycare – walk through Angie’s own evaluation of where she is at and how she can improve her outcomes with quality.
Learn basic marketing principles and concepts. Complete an environmental scan. Identify features and benefits of a child care program. Analyze child care competitors. Identify strategies to build an effective message. Define target market to secure future enrollment. Learn how to use marketing principles to secure community partnerships.
Three-Year Vision & Business Life Cycle and Transitions
Planning Tools and Competencies & Transition Tactics
Whether you have been involved since the beginning OR attended professional development sessions on compensation or Professional Licensure and want to learn more OR perhaps you are brand new to this project. Join us for a fast, fun recap of our work to create a clearly defined early childhood education profession with distinct roles and responsibilities, aligned professional preparation pathways and licensure and professional compensation, supportive infrastructure, and shared accountability.
Whether you have been involved since the beginning OR attended professional development sessions on compensation or Professional Licensure and want to learn more OR perhaps you are brand new to this project. Join us for a fast, fun recap of our work to create a clearly defined early childhood education profession with distinct roles and responsibilities, aligned professional preparation pathways and licensure and professional compensation, supportive infrastructure, and shared accountability.
Whether you have been involved since the beginning OR attended professional development sessions on compensation or Professional Licensure and want to learn more OR perhaps you are brand new to this project. Join us for a fast, fun recap of our work to create a clearly defined early childhood education profession with distinct roles and responsibilities, aligned professional preparation pathways and licensure and professional compensation, supportive infrastructure, and shared accountability.
Whether you have been involved since the beginning OR attended professional development sessions on compensation or Professional Licensure and want to learn more OR perhaps you are brand new to this project. Join us for a fast, fun recap of our work to create a clearly defined early childhood education profession with distinct roles and responsibilities, aligned professional preparation pathways and licensure and professional compensation, supportive infrastructure, and shared accountability.
Whether you have been involved since the beginning OR attended professional development sessions on compensation or Professional Licensure and want to learn more OR perhaps you are brand new to this project. Join us for a fast, fun recap of our work to create a clearly defined early childhood education profession with distinct roles and responsibilities, aligned professional preparation pathways and licensure and professional compensation, supportive infrastructure, and shared accountability.
Whether you have been involved since the beginning OR attended professional development sessions on compensation or Professional Licensure and want to learn more OR perhaps you are brand new to this project. Join us for a fast, fun recap of our work to create a clearly defined early childhood education profession with distinct roles and responsibilities, aligned professional preparation pathways and licensure and professional compensation, supportive infrastructure, and shared accountability.
Learn how to understand enrollment in a child care center and develop your skills to create realistic enrollment projections and how to track current enrollment and future openings. Create action steps to maintain and grow enrollment.
Learn how partnerships can benefit your child care business and who may be potential partners. We will discuss how sharing your story can lead to partnerships.
Staffing is a critical and competitive need for child care centers today. Participants review the basics of acquiring, retaining, and developing new employees and teachers for your child care program. With the right staffing strategies in place, child care leaders can focus on growth and enhancement of their program.
Learn how to effectively implement policies, procedures, and systems that support stable program operations. Identify and examine how to organize and create standard policies and procedures manual for their program.
Clear direction and processes create efficiencies in facilities operation. Discuss operational structure and policy that supports general facilities management.
The following training will be offered for child care centers and will last approx. 2 hours.
Center directors know that the income generated by tuition isn’t always enough to make ends meet. Participants in this session will increase their understanding of the six basic principles of fundraising for child care programs, and identify initial strategies for a child care center fund development plan.
Find your pathway by joining Let's Grow Kids' Heather Duhamel over Zoom for an early childhood educator licensure advising session.
Find your pathway by joining Let's Grow Kids' Heather Duhamel over Zoom for an early childhood educator licensure advising session.
Find your pathway by joining Let's Grow Kids' Heather Duhamel over Zoom for an early childhood educator licensure advising session.
Find your pathway by joining Let's Grow Kids' Heather Duhamel over Zoom for an early childhood educator licensure advising session.
Find your pathway by joining Let's Grow Kids' Heather Duhamel over Zoom for an early childhood educator licensure advising session.
Find your pathway by joining Let's Grow Kids' Heather Duhamel over Zoom for an early childhood educator licensure advising session.
Statement from Aly Richards, CEO of Let's Grow Kids, in Response to Governor Scott’s Budget Proposal
Statement in response to Governor Scott’s budget proposal from Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids:
“Let’s Grow Kids is aligned with Governor Scott on the
importance of prioritizing the recovery and growth of Vermont’s workforce and
the essential role of a stable child care system to support our
economy.…
Statement in response to Governor Scott’s State of the State Address today from Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids:
“We have never been closer to achieving an equitable, accessible, affordable, and high-quality early childhood education system in Vermont, but at the same time, things have never been…
Join supporters from across the state of Vermont on zoom to go over the 2022 child care legislative agenda, talk through priorities, learn when and where your voice can have the most impact, and develop strategies to build more support for these priorities in your community.
Join supporters from across the state of Vermont on zoom to go over the 2022 child care legislative agenda, talk through priorities, learn when and where your voice can have the most impact, and develop strategies to build more support for these priorities in your community.
Last week was a big one! We launched the 2022 Child Care Transformation Plan, our legislative agenda for the coming year. Our priorities include funding to support:
Emergency compensation and recruitment tools for early childhood educators,
Funding the Child Care Financing Study to move forward…
Build Back Better is the lifeline we need right now for working families
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — After 30 years of providing care for children in the heart of the Upper Valley, the Green Mountain Children’s Center in White River Junction will close next month because of a staffing shortage, the nonprofit child care’s board told families this week.
The closing on Nov. 24 for…
Never has the time been more right for early childhood educators to advance as a recognized profession. Vermont is seeing growing consensus among early childhood educators about who we are, what we do, and the support we need to be successful. Now, it is time to explore implementation - how might this…
Never has the time been more right for early childhood educators to advance as a recognized profession. Vermont is seeing growing consensus among early childhood educators about who we are, what we do, and the support we need to be successful. Now, it is time to explore implementation - how might this…
Jonny Flood quit working at a child care center in Montpelier last fall to take a job as a literacy program manager at a local nonprofit.
It wasn’t an easy decision. Flood has taught for over a decade, and he loved it. But he was worried about exposing his older parents and his sister’s new baby to Covid-19,…
MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont child care providers say the state is facing a crisis when it comes to staffing. They say the system, which was already strained before the pandemic, is now at a breaking point.
There were fewer youngsters than usual at Turtle Island Children’s Center in Montpelier Friday.…
The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) is happy to announce that Callie Weller of Calais is the winner of the the seventh annual Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award. The prestigious annual award recognizes exceptional early childhood educators and emphasizes the importance…
Live call-in discussion: As Congress considers overhauling America’s child care system, Vermont families are trying to manage the current crisis. Child care is unaffordable to many families and open spots in child care centers are hard to come by. The pandemic’s made it all worse, especially on women.…
The state is preparing to push $29 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds out to the child care sector. For providers facing widespread staffing shortages and teetering on the brink, the help can’t come soon enough.
“Child care providers have played a vital role in the state’s efforts to recover…
What do the American Rescue Plan Act Child Care Stabilization Grants mean for your child care program?
In this webinar, Lawrence Miller (Five Vine Consulting), Erika Schramm (Skylight Coaching & Consulting), Anne Levesque (Director of Human Resources, Wake Robin), and Sherry Carlson (LGK Chief Programs…
Note: Let's Grow Kids CEO Aly Richards is proud to serve on the Future of Vermont Action Team alongside 24 leaders from across Vermont.
The non-partisan Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) released the newly revised Vermont Proposition today while announcing the Future of Vermont Action Team…
Survey Findings Highlight Challenges and the Supports Vermonters Say They Need Most
Pandemic-related disruptions in school and child care; inequitable divisions of household labor; increases in depression, anxiety, and substance use; and economic concerns greatly impacted Vermonters in the last year,…
As pandemic recovery resources begin to flow into Vermont, there is a real opportunity to improve the way we operate ECE programs. One of the first, best steps is to use the power of technology to save time, reduce expenses, and increase revenue. VT child care programs can use upcoming ARPA (American…
Join us for an hour of conversation with nurses from the Vermont Department of Health to get your COVID-19 and other health-related questions answered and hear up-to-date information. Please submit your questions ahead of time.
At a time when Vermonters are surveying the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 crisis, UVM’s Office of Engagement and Center for Rural Studies have released the Vermont Economic Development Roundtables Report Amplifying Vermont’s Economic Resilience. The report identifies current and future challenges…
This commentary is by Cary Brown, executive director of the Vermont Commission on Women; Meg Smith, director of the Vermont Women’s Fund; Rhoni Basden, executive director of Vermont Works for Women; Jessica Nordhaus, director of Change The Story VT; and Aly Richards, CEO of Let’s Grow Kids.
Marikje…
Vermont Works for Women and six community partners used the Labor Day holiday to launch a campaign to support women in the workforce.
The campaign is called #MakeWorkWorkForUs.
“We are really hoping this campaign brings together policy makers, employers, community members, to recognize what is facing…
Molly Gray is the 82nd lieutenant governor of Vermont. Her Recover Stronger Tour continues this month with stops in Orleans, Orange, Washington, Chittenden, Bennington and Windham counties.
A year and a half after the onset of the pandemic, Vermont remains in the midst of ongoing recovery efforts. While…
In a nation where patchwork child care infrastructure has been wrecked by 18 months of pandemic, the state of Vermont is on the verge of making universal child care a reality. In May 2021, after years of coalition-building, Vermont passed H.171, legislation to lay the blueprint for universal child care.…
Join WOMEN UNITED® and Let's Grow Kids for an hour-long learning session about Vermont's child care crisis - what the issues are, the progress that's been made recently, what's to come and how you can help!
This is part 1 of a 3-part series. At the end of this education session, you'll have the opportunity…
Early childhood educators are in short supply, and it’s not just the pandemic that’s to blame.
In recent months, child care centers and preschools across the state have been struggling to hire teachers.
Last week, mychamplainvalley.com reported that six Heartworks Preschool classrooms in Chittenden…
This commentary is by Chloe Learey, executive director of Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development in Brattleboro and a member of the Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council.
In 2012, the Local Child Care Planning Council of Humboldt County in California uploaded its video “A Day…
At a fairground in North Haverhill, N.H., past the rides and an obstacle course set up for goats, Amy Brooks was recruiting.
She stood at a booth not far from a gun raffle and a fudge stand, hawking an industry she says is a little different than retail.
“Small humans are amazing, and it’s not a desk…
Let’s Grow Kids (LGK) CEO Aly Richards joined U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) at Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) today to celebrate the senator’s support of the hospital’s proposed expansion of Learning Tree Child Care Center at SVHC. Senator Leahy has requested $750,000 to support child care…
Join us at our table in the Kids Zone at the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival to talk to Vermonters about the importance of affordable access to high-quality child care! Sign up below!
This commentary is by Robert Haynes, who was executive director of Green Mountain Economic Development Corp. from 2015 until 2021 and now leads the corporation’s development efforts for a large regional child care center at Exit 4 in Randolph, with the Orange County Parent Child Center as the operator.
Virtually…
NORWICH — Three-quarters of Norwich parents who responded to a recent survey said they reduced work hours or left their jobs altogether to care for their children because of difficulty finding affordable child care.
Meanwhile, more than a third of families reported cutting back on spending for food,…
Michele Asch is not shy about recruiting.
When she learned that Koffee Kup had shut its doors in April, she went to the baker’s Burlington plant and posted a sign saying Twincraft Skincare was hiring.
“I just wrote a handwritten note and threw some duct tape in the car, and I stopped and put it up…
Five years ago, a group of Alburgh residents sat down to decide how to spend a federal grant for kindergarten readiness.
They soon realized, though, that it was going to take a lot more work for the town’s early childhood education system to meet local needs.
That’s when the group came up with “this…
ENFIELD — Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarah Bolander said she and her husband, Richard, had a “perfectly orchestrated system” in place to ensure their children had the care they needed so the parents could work.
But then in the spring of 2020, Kidsview Academy Preschool & Daycare in Enfield closed…
Christine Mitchell Adams, Community + Creative Consultant, Shelburne
MIDDLEBURY — The Otter Creek Child Center (OCCC) is seeking support for a new, 15,000-square-foot facility on its 150 Weybridge St. property that would allow the nonprofit to more than double the combined 61 children currently served at the OCCC and the nearby College Street Children’s Center.
The project,…
Nina Sand-Loud, MD, Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock
"It makes me very sad,” Elaine Chasse says, sitting at a picnic table outside Learning Adventure, the early childhood education center she opened on this quiet, tree-lined lot in Grand Isle more than two decades ago.
Inside, the schoolhouse is busy — but it’s boxes, not backpacks, that are being carried…
Staff at the Rutland County Parent-Child Center are having trouble finding child care.
“Our staff members are struggling to find placements for their kids, their elementary-age kids, in Rutland,” Executive Director Mary Felton said Wednesday. “We have openings in Brandon, which is a 25-minute drive.”
Members…
The National Life Group Foundation announced a $500,000 grant, the largest single award in its history, to Let’s Grow Kids to advance the campaign for high-quality, affordable child care for all Vermont families who need it by 2025.
The grant is intended both to boost Vermont families’ ability to find…
This commentary is by Chloe Learey, executive director of Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development in Brattleboro and a member of the Building Bright Futures state advisory council.
As we emerge from the pandemic, an important wakeup call is being sounded: There is a massive child care…
WILMINGTON — Gearing up for a fall opening, a new child care and pre-k program received startup funds from the town.
“This is a huge driver for our workforce, for our economy, for bringing people here,” said Gretchen Havreluk, economic development consultant for the town. “I strongly think that this…
MONTPELIER — While Gov. Phil Scott signed eight bills into law late Tuesday, including a landmark child care initiative and drug possession legislation addiction treatment advocates say will save lives, it was the two bills he vetoed that had everyone’s attention at the State House on Wednesday morning.
The…
BURLINGTON, Vt. — As the state starts to reopen and more parents get back to working in-person, can they find accessible childcare? After much research, Let’s Grow Kids Vermont is saying they can’t.
"You lose your job, you leave your job, you make compromises, you never see your spouse again. It’s stress,…
Last night, Governor Phil Scott signed landmark child care legislation (H.171) into law. Let’s Grow Kids applauds the governor’s and the Legislature's leadership on this issue and looks forward to continuing to work with the Administration and Legislature to achieve our shared goal of ensuring all Vermont…
BURLINGTON — After talking with the Vermont National Guard and other places where workers take odd hours, a grant program aimed at expanding young child care options is opening itself up a bit more.
Since 2018, Let’s Grow Kids has awarded funds through its Expanding Infant and Toddler Child Care Capacity…
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Thousands of Vermonters and state leaders are meeting virtually for day two of the Summit on the Future of Vermont.
The discussion continues today with a focus on solidifying proposals to a set of propositions outlined by about 3,000 Vermonters.
The summit on the future of Vermont…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2021 Media Contact: Nicole Haley, 802-391-0545, nicole@letsgrowkids.org
Burlington, VT – Funding is available to help child care providers start or grow the number of slots available for infants and toddlers. As part of its mission to ensure affordable access to child…
During this 3-hour, online real-time training, participants will learn to use the ASQ-3 tool to accurately identify children at risk for developmental delay. Participants will review the benefits of developmental screening, describe features of the ASQ-3, learn to accurately score questionnaires, learn…
During this 3-hour, online/real-time training, participants will learn to use the ASQ:SE-2 tool to accurately identify children’s social-emotional health. This session complements the ASQ-3 and focuses on identifying risk factors and screening for behaviors, to address and support concerns at an early…
During this 3-hour, online/real-time training, participants will learn to use the ASQ-3 tool to accurately identify children at risk for developmental delay. Participants will review the benefits of developmental screening, describe features of the ASQ-3, learn to accurately score questionnaires, learn…
During this 3-hour, online/real-time training, participants will learn to use the ASQ:SE-2 tool to accurately identify children’s social-emotional health. This session complements the ASQ-3 and focuses on identifying risk factors and screening for behaviors, to address and support concerns at an early…
Learn how to phone bank and bring in more advocates for high-quality, affordable child care!
Sign up for a training below so you can text our supporters and encourage them to advocate for high-quality, affordable child care!
Sign up for a training below so you can participate in virtual or in person events and bring in more advocates for high-quality, affordable child care!
Sign up for a training below so you can share our message for high-quality, affordable child care on social media!
Vermont lawmakers closed out what Senate President Becca Balint called “a session for the history books” Friday evening after passing a $7 billion state budget that includes moonshot investments in broadband, affordable housing, climate initiatives and other longstanding policy priorities.
One year…
This communal affinity series, sponsored by the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children and facilitated by Courtney (Coco) Casper, is free and open to early childhood educators who identify as People of Color. Our time together will be dedicated to building connection with one another…
Did you know that the American Rescue Plan includes funding to make health insurance much more affordable? New federal investments are set to significantly increase benefit levels and dramatically expand eligibility.
This is great news for early childhood educators who often lack employer-sponsored…
Bring your family and friends to celebrate all you did to help the Child Care Bill pass through the Legislature with big time support! Together, we'll debrief the legislative session and learn exactly what H.171 means to you, celebrate it's success, and learn about the next steps we need to take this…
Matthew LeFluer, Let's Grow Kids volunteer and 2017 Early Childhood Superhero
Meghan Gunn, MD, Pediatrician, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
Legislation to ensure that Vermont families pay no more than 10 percent of their income on child care has passed both the House and Senate. Together, there was but a single negative vote.
Typically a vote of this strength implies the benign nature of the bill. Like opposing motherhood and apple pie.…
MONTPELIER — The Vermont Legislature’s efforts to make high quality child care more accessible and affordable cleared its last significant hurdle Friday, as the Senate voted unanimously to approve a bill expanding eligibility and financial assistance for families.
The bill, H. 171, funds the third year…
A bill that creates a path for Vermont families to pay no more than 10% of their income on child care has cleared the Senate unanimously.
H.171 must still technically go back to the House, which passed the measure 146-to-1 in late March. But there are few differences to reconcile. Senate and House leaders…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2021 Media Contact: Nicole Haley, 802-391-0545, nicole@letsgrowkids.org
Today the Vermont Senate and House called child care a unifying issue during a joint press conference following the Senate’s unanimous 30-0 passage of H.171, the child care bill. H.171 includes…
This commentary is by Lindsay DesLauriers, a co-owner and president of Bolton Valley Resort. She lobbied for the Vermont Early Childhood Alliance 2012-18 and for Voices for Vermont’s Children 2012-14. This is part of a 10-part series responding to the pressing topics identified in a draft “Proposition…
Cara Chigazola-Tobin, Chef/Owner, Honey Road RestaurantI
Elisha Underwood, Wellness Program Manager, Windham County
Join Dr. Breena Holmes for a Special Edition of Health Care Guidance for Child Care Providers and Out of School Time. On this webinar, you'll learn about the new guidance effective May 1, 2021. This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered and stay up to date on new protocols and procedures.
Click…
BRATTLEBORO — As more federal coronavirus relief funds funnel through Vermont, child care providers are happy for their field to be getting some attention and they want to continue shining a light on issues magnified in the pandemic.
“Let’s keep talking about it,” Chloe Learey, executive director of…
Jo Conant, MD, Pathologist, University of Vermont Medical Center
Win Smith, Senior Advisor and Retired President, Sugarbush Resport
U.S. Rep Peter Welch says the only path forward for Vermonters is one that has universal, accessible, and affordable childcare.
“If there’s a silver lining to what our state and what our country have been through,” Welch said, “it’s that in these extraordinarily ambitious programs passed by Congress,…
Let's Grow Kids Field Manager Rex Butt and volunteer Naomi Alfini, a former preschool teacher and parent of a young child, had a compelling conversation with JD Green on his Aired Out podcast about Vermont's campaign for high-quality, affordable child care. Click here to watch the podcast recording.
Michael Seaver, Vermont President, People's United Bank
Robert Haynes Jr, Executive Director, Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation
Staci Otis, Owner, Little All-Stars Childcare and Preschool
Please Note: This is a three part series-professional development—Participants must be sure to fully attend all three Wednesday sessions on April 28, May 26, and June 16 (6:00 PM–7:30 PM). This Northern Lights-approved, online, real-time training is for emerging leaders or those already in leadership…
Join Let’s Grow Kids Regional Field Manager, Emily Wagner, to learn about Let’s Grow Kids’ vision for high-quality, affordable child care for Vermonters, our policy agenda and the child care bill H.171.
Click here to register.
Running a successful child care business before the pandemic was hard—now it's even more difficult. While there are countless factors that threaten to overwhelm our sector, there are also a great many things that we actually can control—with the right tools. This Northern Lights-approved, online, real-time…
Most early childhood educators enter the child care business because they have knowledge, skills, and expertise in child development. They are successful working with children but what can be missing are the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to be entrepreneurs and fiscal leaders for their child…
Imagine the joyful sound of children’s laughter, colorful artwork gracing walls, coat hooks and cubbies at adult-thigh level and young voices singing -- these are some of the characteristics of an engaging child care environment.
As a young mother 30 years ago, I was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom.…
ST. ALBANS CITY — The closure of St. Albans’ YMCA childcare facility has brought the importance of accessible childcare to the forefront of local discussion. The facility closed its doors Wednesday, leaving many questioning what other resources there are in the area.
“The community is working really…
March's licensure pathway advising call will review Champlain College’s Reflective Practices: A Peer Review Portfolio Course (a 15-week online course). Join the call to talk with Heather Duhamel, Let's Grow Kids' Pathway Consultant and course instructor. This program is the best fit for those who:
Have…
Stay current on information about 'Tests for Tots' and the Omicron strain in VT's child care system.
We are pleased to announce a new round of the Infant and Toddler Child Care Capacity Grants, developed in collaboration with the Vermont Child Development Division. Designed to increase the number of available infant and toddler child care spaces, the grants are open to organizations and individuals…
Hear about the status of the vaccine for children under age 5 and more.
Join us for an hour of conversation with nurses from VDH! Please submit questions ahead of time and hear up-to-date information.
April's licensure pathway advising call will review the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Educator Programs (VTHEC-EC/ECSE). Join the call to talk with Heather Duhamel, Let's Grow Kids' Pathway Consultant and Manuela Fonseca from VTHEC. This program is the…
May's licensure pathway advising call will be a Pathways Overview, featuring bachelors or masters with licensure options, alternative peer review or transcript review options, and a Q & A. Join the call to talk with Heather Duhamel, Let's Grow Kids' Pathway Consultant.
Click here to register.
We are pleased to announce a new round of the Infant and Toddler Child Care Capacity Grants, developed in collaboration with the Vermont Child Development Division. Designed to increase the number of available infant and toddler child care spaces, the grants are open to organizations and individuals that currently operate or plan to start a licensed program.
Sign up for this informational call to learn more!
We are pleased to announce a new round of the Infant and Toddler Child Care Capacity Grants, developed in collaboration with the Vermont Child Development Division. Designed to increase the number of available infant and toddler child care spaces, the grants are open to organizations and individuals that currently operate or plan to start a licensed program.
Sign up for this informational call to learn more!
The Vermont Agency of Education offers an opportunity for qualified applicants to obtain early childhood educator provisional license.
The Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators (VSBPE) has approved an Agency of Education (AOE) Early Childhood Educator or Early Childhood Special Educator…
July's Zoom Ahead to Teacher Licensure call will focus on Northern Vermont University's Accelerated Early Childhood Education Online Program. Participants in the program earn a bachelor's degree with infant to pre-K ECE licensure in 5 semesters. The program is the best fit for those who:
Already…
August's licensure pathway advising call will review the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Educator Programs (VTHEC-EC/ECSE). Join the call to talk with Heather Duhamel, Let's Grow Kids' Pathway Consultant and Manuela Fonseca from VTHEC. This program is the…
September's licensure pathway advising call will review Northern Vermont University's Accelerated Early Education Online Program. Join the call to talk with Heather Duhamel, Let's Grow Kids' Pathway Consultant about this program.
The next cohort for the program begins in the spring 2022 semester in…
Find your Pathway this Fall! November's licensure pathway advising call will take a look at ALL licensure models. Participants will learn about the various pathways to licensure.
Find your pathway to licensure by joining LGK's Heather Duhamel for an advising call. December's call will take a look at ALL licensure models. Participants will learn about the various pathways to licensure.
A Q&A with the Vermont Department of Health about navigating through the holiday season while keeping your program open and your families and staff safe and healthy.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2021 Media Contact: Nicole Haley, 802-391-0545, nicole@letsgrowkids.org
Today the Vermont House passed landmark child care legislation that includes immediate investments to support Vermont’s economy and our children, helps families return to work, and lays a foundation…
Keegan Albaugh, Fatherhood Program Coordinator, The Family Room; and Founder & President, Dad Guild
Rachel Whalen, Kindergarten Educator, Union Elementary, Montpelier
Ricky Klein, Co-Founder & Head Brewer, Groennfell Meadery
Jarred Cobb, Director of Operations, SunCommon
This commentary is by Dr. Joseph F. Hagan Jr., clinical professor in pediatrics at the Larner College of Medicine at UVM. He co-authored “The Bright Futures Guidelines,” third and fourth editions, the standard for health promotion of well child care in the U.S. He practices primary care at Lakeside Pediatrics…
To the Editor: I am a parent of a 2½-year-old at the Bennington Early Childhood Center writing to raise awareness of an important bill currently being voted on in Vermont, H 171. The bill addresses a systemic early childhood education problem we have in Vermont.
My daughter’s school, BECC, was closed…
At the end of this month, the Greater Burlington YMCA will be closing its child care facility in St. Albans. The child care program had been operating out of a temporary location since its regular location was damaged by a burst pipe.
But that regular location was in the building leased by the federal…
Trisha Scharf, Owner, Williston Early Childhood Education Program
Dr. Rebecca Bell, President, American Academy of Pediatrics, Vermont Chapter
Dr. Lou DiNicola, Pediatrician and American Academy of Pediatrics, Vermont Chapter Member, Randolph
Julia Rogers, Founding Director, EnRoute Consulting
Duane Peterson, Co-President, SunCommon
Cookie Danyow, Owner, Mountain Road Preschool, Addison
Catherine Hamilton, Vice President of Consumer Services & Planning, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont
Bibba Kahn, Montpelier Middle School Teacher and Vermont Teacher of the Year 2020
Adeline Druart, President, Vermont Creamery
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont families with young children could get some support from the state under a bill moving through the Legislature. A key provision in the $13 million measure says families should spend no more than 10% percent of their income on child care.
“I think a lot of times families…
RANDOLPH — A few years back when the town of Randolph surveyed area employers and workers about what they thought the community needed to advance the town’s goals for economic development, both groups said more child care was a top priority.
It was “amazing how there was common ground,” Adolfo Bailon,…
A bill that sets an ambitious goal — that no Vermont family will pay more than 10% of its household income on child care by 2025 — unanimously cleared the House Human Services committee Tuesday.
But while H.171 sets an aggressive policy goal, it does not say how Vermont should meet it. Instead, the…
The Department for Children and Families (DCF) will be running a grant program for child care and afterschool programs to support the additional costs providing care to Vermont’s children due to COVID-19. The federal allocation for this grant program is $12.2 million dollars from the Coronavirus Response…
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) today announced their support of Let's Grow Kids’ (LGK) three-year childcare campaign. The campaign has been launched in an effort to ensure that all Vermont children have access to high-quality early education that meets the needs of these children…
Vermont may be at the cusp of unlocking its economic and social potential in a way that’s inviting to both Republicans and Democrats. It’s figuring out how to devise, and pay for, a high-quality, affordable child care system.
The framework has been roughed out in H.171, a bill that received its first…
Capitalizing on the spotlight the pandemic has put on the role child care plays in the economy, advocates this legislative session have set their most ambitious target yet — and nearly 100 lawmakers are on board.
But can they pull it off?
“It’s no longer ‘if.’ It’s when and how,” Aly Richards, CEO…
MONTPELIER — The first day of testimony on a bill reimagining early child care in Vermont as a publicly subsidized system lowering family costs to no more than 10 percent of gross household income, and raising salaries for early childhood educators, showed there’s support for the concept.
But the hearing…
February's licensure pathway advising call will review Northern Vermont University's Accelerated Early Childhood Education Online Program. Join the call to talk with Heather Duhamel, Let's Grow Kids' Pathway Consultant, along with students from the ECE major
NVU's program will help you achieve a bachelor's…
Child care providers—both for profit and non-profit—are eligible for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Better yet, they may receive full forgiveness if employment and compensation levels are maintained, loan proceeds are spent on payroll and other eligible expenses,…
Early childhood education is essential and running your family child care is harder than ever! Are you interested in using technology to grow and modernize your family child care business? Do you want to learn about new and innovative ways to elevate the quality of your program?
Join this session to…
A coalition of business leaders, child care advocates and legislative leaders are calling for action to make quality child care accessible, affordable and sustainable in three years, saying the COVID-19 pandemic has proven that quality affordable child care is an economic necessity as well as a public…
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - We’ve heard many Vermont parents complain about the cost of child care and the difficulty of finding providers. At the same time, many child care businesses are also often having trouble making ends meet. Now, there’s a push this legislative session to change that.
Click here…
Despite massive shakeups in child care in the last year because of the pandemic, Vermont has lost few child care providers overall.
Child care slots statewide dropped only about 1% last year, Sean Brown, commissioner of the Department for Children and Families, told the House Human Services Committee…
Last night something really important happened. Governor Phil Scott named child care a top priority in his inaugural address and Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint echoed a commitment in their remarks following his speech.
In contrast to the division gripping our country,…
WILLISTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont officials say the pandemic and low enrollment has forced a number of child care businesses to close over the past year. In part two of her report, Cat Viglienzoni looked into what strategies can help make a child care business work even outside the pandemic stresses?
Click…
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont officials say the pandemic has had a major impact on the number of child care providers. Cat Viglienzoni reports that the reduced demand for child care is putting pressure on providers’ bottom lines and forcing many to close.
The Department for Children and Families…
A compelling case for why the workplace should never be the same in a post-pandemic world was made in Friday’s Messenger by Rick Valenta, of St. Albans, who argued that he, and those of his [younger] generation, would prefer to work remotely. They love their jobs. But the benefits of working from home…
This commentary is by Alison Lamagna, who is director of Programs & Gender Equity at Vermont Works for Women, with support from Cary Brown, executive director of the Vermont Commission on Women; Jessica Nordhaus, director of Change the Story VT; and Meg Smith, director of the Vermont Women’s Fund.
No,…
A new poll commissioned by one of the state’s leading child care advocacy organizations shows broad public support for increased state funding for Vermont’s child care system.
Let’s Grow Kids has spent the last five years urging elected officials to improve access to child care by increasing wages for…
December is a busy month for constituents to catch up with our legislators before they are consumed by the beginning of the session next month. Our Windham County delegation had the inspired idea of holding virtual office hours for groups to sign up and share what is on happening in the region and what…
Roberta Royce has always thought of the child-care industry as resilient.
When the novel coronavirus upended businesses, schools and social systems this year, she was hopeful The Winchester Learning Center, where she serves as executive director, would find a way to keep providing care throughout the…
The route to becoming an early educator has often been confusing, too costly, and time consuming for many to achieve. Offering training that does not lead to attainment of valid ECE credentials and degrees, or training that is unaffordable does an injustice to the field. In this Northern Lights-approved…
Many early childhood community members have renewed their personal and professional commitment to antiracism and diversity, equity, and inclusion—and want to engage in sustained learning. To support this, the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance and its partners are convening a monthly, salon-style…
In 2020 Vermont childcare centers received the resources to establish more than 1,000 new spots for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
Let's Grow Kids, a nonprofit supporting high-quality, affordable Vermont child care, and the Vermont Department for Children and Families Child Development Division…
$2.3M in grants have been awarded throughout 2020 to help create 1,155 new child care spaces
Newport parents who couldn’t find child care had been begging Sonia Koehler to reopen her family child care program for three years. By the end of the year, those parents will find some relief when Sonia opens…
Join us for the Virtual 2021 Policy Priorities Briefing with CEO Aly Richards and the LGK staff. At this quick Zoom meeting, you will get all the information you need to be an effective child care advocate in 2021 and beyond. After hearing the details of our 2021 policy priorities you will learn next…
When we talk about a return to normal, it’s more than not having to wear masks, and washing our hands, it’s a general reference to the economy and how each of us can return to our old jobs, how we put back into place all the pieces of our lives the pandemic disrupted. That move to normalcy makes a lot…
Child care providers have been "rock stars” in implementing the Vermont Department of Health and Department for Children and Families guidance in their programs and in protecting their child care staff and children during this pandemic. Nurses from the Vermont Department of Health will be providing updated…
Topline numbers suggest Vermont’s child care sector has emerged largely intact from the height of the coronavirus crisis. But providers and advocates warn the industry remains on rocky footing as families hesitate to return and staffing shortages remain endemic.
“We've made this incredible investment…
While so many states have stayed silent on child care during the pandemic, Vermont recognized early on that there can be no recovery without child care. Let’s Grow Kids is grateful for the vision and leadership of our state officials from Governor Scott to our legislative champions who heeded the call…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
Join us to get real-time information about the legislative session and learn about the most impactful actions you can take right now to support Vermont's Child Care Campaign.
Join us to get real-time information about the legislative session and learn about the most impactful actions you can take right now to support Vermont's Child Care Campaign.
Join us to get real-time information about the legislative session and learn about the most impactful actions you can take right now to support Vermont's Child Care Campaign.
Join us to get real-time information about the legislative session and learn about the most impactful actions you can take right now to support Vermont's Child Care Campaign.
Join us to get real-time information about the legislative session and learn about the most impactful actions you can take right now to support Vermont's Child Care Campaign.
Join us to get real-time information about the legislative session and learn about the most impactful actions you can take right now to support Vermont's Child Care Campaign.
Join us to get real-time information about the legislative session and learn about the most impactful actions you can take right now to support Vermont's Child Care Campaign.
Join us to get real-time information about the legislative session and learn about the most impactful actions you can take right now to support Vermont's Child Care Campaign.
Join us to get real-time information about the legislative session and learn about the most impactful actions you can take right now to support Vermont's Child Care Campaign.
Join us to get real-time information about the legislative session and learn about the most impactful actions you can take right now to support Vermont's Child Care Campaign.
Join us to get real-time information about the legislative session and learn about the most impactful actions you can take right now to support Vermont's Child Care Campaign.
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
Join your regional Action Team to get real-time information about the legislative session. Get updates on our work to establish long-term state goals for affordability, access, and quality. Then take action on next steps toward short-term goals to address Vermont’s two biggest challenges: affordability…
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
Join the Action Team by learning how to build momentum for the Child Care Campaign in your community. The Let's Grow Kids Action Network has all the resources and support you will need and this training is a great start.
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our childcare champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our childcare champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our childcare champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
LGKAN Action Teams are meeting soon with the most updated information about the child care bill! H.171, the child care bill, has passed key committees in the Legislature and is on the move. Join your local Action Team to learn the latest – and find out how your voice can support passing the strongest…
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our childcare champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our childcare champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our childcare champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our childcare champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
This is an in person event at the Let's Grow Kids Burlington office. Join us to learn more about being part of the Child Care Action Team. Come meet other volunteers, pick up a t-shirt, and learn the volunteer ropes.
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our child care champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our child care champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our child care champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our child care champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
We’ll be sharing some recent news from the legislators, celebrating some of our child care champions, and going to be planning out when and where to table or canvas to bring more people into the Child Care Campaign.
This is an exciting moment as we move into year two of our three-year plan. We’ve made great progress but there’s still work to be done. Join your local Addison County Action Team in October to:
• Focus on preparing for the 2021 legislative session.
• Celebrate the great work done this summer collecting…
This is an exciting moment as we move into year two of our three-year plan. We’ve made great progress but there’s still work to be done. Join your local Caledonia County Action Team in October to:
• Focus on preparing for the 2021 legislative session.
• Celebrate the great work done this summer collecting…
This is an exciting moment as we move into year two of our three-year plan. We’ve made great progress but there’s still work to be done. Join your local Rutland County Action Team in October to:
• Focus on preparing for the 2021 legislative session.
• Celebrate the great work done this summer collecting…
This is an exciting moment as we move into year two of our three-year plan. We’ve made great progress but there’s still work to be done. Join your local Lamoille County Action Team in October to:
• Focus on preparing for the 2021 legislative session.
• Celebrate the great work done this summer collecting…
This is an exciting moment as we move into year two of our three-year plan. We’ve made great progress but there’s still work to be done. Join your local Windsor County Action Team in October to:
• Focus on preparing for the 2021 legislative session.
• Celebrate the great work done this summer collecting…
This is an exciting moment as we move into year two of our three-year plan. We’ve made great progress but there’s still work to be done. Join your local Franklin and Grand Isle Counties Action Team in October to:
• Focus on preparing for the 2021 legislative session.
• Celebrate the great work done…
This is an exciting moment as we move into year two of our three-year plan. We’ve made great progress but there’s still work to be done. Join your local Washington County Action Team in October to:
• Focus on preparing for the 2021 legislative session.
• Celebrate the great work done this summer collecting…
This is an exciting moment as we move into year two of our three-year plan. We’ve made great progress but there’s still work to be done. Join your local Windham County Action Team in October to:
• Focus on preparing for the 2021 legislative session.
• Celebrate the great work done this summer collecting…
This is an exciting moment as we move into year two of our three-year plan. We’ve made great progress but there’s still work to be done. Join your local Chittenden County Action Team in October to:
• Focus on preparing for the 2021 legislative session.
• Celebrate the great work done this summer collecting…
This is an exciting moment as we move into year two of our three-year plan. We’ve made great progress but there’s still work to be done. Join your local Bennington County Action Team in October to:
• Focus on preparing for the 2021 legislative session.
• Celebrate the great work done this summer collecting…
This is an exciting moment as we move into year two of our three-year plan. We’ve made great progress but there’s still work to be done. Join your local Orange County Action Team in October to:
• Focus on preparing for the 2021 legislative session.
• Celebrate the great work done this summer collecting…
Let’s work together towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators receive appropriate wages and benefits for their essential work. Register…
Let’s work together towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators receive appropriate wages and benefits for their essential work. Register…
Let’s work together towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators receive appropriate wages and benefits for their essential work. Register…
Let’s work together towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators receive appropriate wages and benefits for their essential work. Register…
Let’s work together towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators receive appropriate wages and benefits for their essential work. Register…
Let’s work together towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators receive appropriate wages and benefits for their essential work. Register…
Let’s work together towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators receive appropriate wages and benefits for their essential work. Register…
Let’s work together towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators receive appropriate wages and benefits for their essential work. Register…
Let’s work together towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators receive appropriate wages and benefits for their essential work. Register…
Let’s work together towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators receive appropriate wages and benefits for their essential work. Register…
Let’s work together towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators receive appropriate wages and benefits for their essential work. Register…
Middlebury students host an opportunity to learn more about what you can do to help work towards a future in which all children have equitable access to the early childhood education opportunities they need for a strong start in life, families are able to work and thrive, and early childhood educators…
After the elections in November, Let’s Grow Kids’ Action Teams will be meeting with their newly elected local officials to introduce themselves as child care advocates. Please register to join others who are passionate about taking the next steps toward investing in Vermont’s youngest kids. The goal…
This Northern Lights-approved online, real-time training will describe all of the possible ways owners of child care businesses can pass their business on to new owners. Included in this overview will be the pros and cons and the mechanics of
• Selling to an outside buyer
• Transferring ownership to…
Two new early childcare facilities are opening this month after being delayed by the pandemic.
The first to open will be Sycamore Tree Child Care Center, part of Mission City Church, located at 3092 Cold River Road in Rutland Town, on Monday. The second is Rekaroo’s Minis, opening Oct. 26 in the Howe…
It was a Tuesday in March when Ellen Drolette heard that schools were closing. Later that day, she learned the Burlington, Vermont, child care home where she looked after six kids would also have to shut down due to the spread of Covid-19 across the country.
“I thought this was going to be maybe two…
The route to becoming an early educator has often been confusing, too costly, and time consuming for many to achieve. Offering training that does not lead to attainment of valid ECE credentials and degrees or training that is unaffordable does an injustice to the field. In this Northern Lights-approved…
The route to becoming an early educator has often been confusing, too costly, and time consuming for many to achieve. Offering training that does not lead to attainment of valid ECE credentials and degrees or training that is unaffordable does an injustice to the field. In this Northern Lights-approved…
Vermont’s Early Childhood Action Plan and Let’s Grow Kids’ 2021 Policy Agenda both focus on strategies to increase early childhood workforce compensation and benefits without shifting costs to families. Nationally, Power to the Profession’s Unifying Framework describes the audacious vision: Each and…
On Sept. 8, schools will open, some for fully or partially-remote instruction, prompting a rush to set up thousands of child care slots in “hubs” across the state for parents who can’t stay home.
As of Friday, state officials have identified eight potential hub spots, which could accommodate 1,800 children,…
by Kellie Campbell, Chair of the Vermont Commission on Women’s Education & Human Development Committee and Hannah Lane, Policy Analyst and Business Manager for the Vermont Commission on Women
Policy decisions regarding education and child care are gendered. That is a fact that must not be ignored. As…
Despite relief grants rolled out by the state, Vermont child care providers say they are struggling to find enough qualified early educators.
Child care centers, which have long struggled to fill jobs, say the system has been further strained by the coronavirus, and they fear a state program announced…
Note: Let's Grow Kids' board member Lynette Fraga co-authored this Op-Ed with Jackie Bezos.
Janine, a medical assistant at an urgent-care facility, contracted COVID-19 in March along with her husband, 20-month-old daughter, mother, father and brother, who shared an apartment near her daughter’s child-care…
This series of two 90-minute online, real time trainings will offer an overview of the distinctions of a non-profit business, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors and the executive director of a non-profit child care business. The presentations will be led Dr. Jane A. Van…
This Northern Lights-approved online/real time training will be geared toward those in an executive director role. The presentation will be led Dr. Jane A. Van Buren, founding director of Noonmark Services, a nationally and internationally recognized resource for board development, training, and support.
Discussion…
As Vermont’s students prepare to go back to school a limited number of days each week, the question looms; how do parents balance the need to return to work with the need to keep track of their children and their school work? How do parents make it work when child care options don’t exist, or are prohibitively…
This Northern Lights-approved online, real-time training will focus on the record keeping and tax implications of COVID-19. Participants will learn:
How to calculate your Time-Space% with reduced hours
How to report state and federal SBA grants/loans on your tax return
What expenses you can deduct…
For many parents, facing down the rapidly approaching school year has forced them to confront a reality with few good options. The thought of sending kids back to school, where they will potentially be exposed to hundreds of other children in an era when physical distancing is advisable, has prompted…
Editor’s note: This commentary is by Chloe Learey, who is the executive director of Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development in Brattleboro and who serves on the Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council.
The end of July marked two months that our Early Learning Center at Winston…
The state launched a new child care relief program on Friday that will provide $12 million in grants to help providers with coronavirus expenses and deficits.
The Operational Relief Grant program, which is funded by federal relief dollars, is open for applications through Aug. 26.
“Like schools, child…
Editor’s note: This commentary is by Betsy Bishop, of East Montpelier, who is the president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and Aly Richards, of Montpelier, the CEO of Let’s Grow Kids.
When we look years ahead, how do we picture Vermont? Where are our workplaces centered, where are our homes in…
BENNINGTON — U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, appearing at a Bennington child care center the day after a pair of relief bills passed the U.S. House of Representatives, said the COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that affordable, accessible child care is an economic and social necessity.
Welch, D-Vt., appearing…
LGK is pleased to be working to increase the number of infant and toddler child care spaces in the state through $800,000 in Expanding Infant and Toddler Child Care Capacity Grants that are funded by the VT Child Development Division. Grant projects should be informed by local community needs and must…
This training with Breena Holmes, MD, will provide guidelines for COVID-19 best practices for health and safety. Details will include updated protocols for the reopening of child care programs and services; monitoring for symptoms and illness, guidance for wellness-checks, use of protective equipment,…
This training by Breena Holmes, MD, will provide guidelines for COVID-19 best practices for health and safety. Details will include updated protocols for the reopening of child care programs and services; monitoring for symptoms and illness, guidance for wellness-checks, use of protective equipment,…
Vermont's Primary election is coming up on August 11! Join the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance and Let's Grow Kids for a discussion on how to ensure that investing in children and families and the early childhood community is a top priority in this election. We'll share information about how…
August 8 is the last day for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 to be approved for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). SBA will forgive PPP loans if all employee retention criteria are met and the funds are used for eligible expenses. Child care providers—for…
Let’s Grow Kids is pleased to announce the recipients of our first annual Scholarship for Aspiring Early Educators. The scholarship program was created to increase access to education and training for those looking to begin or advance careers in the field of early childhood education.
“Having a well-trained…
We are excited to extend an invitation from the Larner College of Medicine and the UVM Department of Pediatrics to all Vermont early childhood educators to join our health care partners in the upcoming Virtual/Online Pediatric Grand Rounds discussion with Lee Savio Beers, MD, FAAP:
Renowned for her…
In this one-hour, Northern-Lights approved training, participants will review strategies to strengthen responsive communication practices to support families during COVID-19 childcare reopening, and beyond. We will explore our collective role to ensure healthy outcomes for all and understand the connection…
This commentary is by Meg Smith, director, Vermont Women’s Fund; Cary Brown, executive director, Vermont Commission on Women; Rhoni Basden, executive director, Vermont Works for Women; Jessica Nordhaus, director, Change The Story VT; Aly Richards, chief executive officer, Let’s Grow Kids; Katie Wells,…
A new state report finds women in Vermont have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus. The COVID-19 disease itself has affected their personal health, but the economic downturn associated with the pandemic has also seen a uniquely large impact on women's financial stability and economic…
When I look around the table of Vermont Creamery’s senior leadership, three of the seven team members are women with children age 5 or under, and two are men with babies less than a year old. This isn’t an accident or happenstance; we have worked incredibly hard to create a workplace that is accessible…
For this Northern-Lights-approved training, our presenter will be Anne McSweeney, the director of the child care program at The ICA Group, a Massachusetts-based consulting firm that specializes in employee ownership. Tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities facing the child care industry,…
June 16/6:30-7:30pm
In this one-hour Northern Lights-approved training, participants will review strategies to strengthen responsive communication practices to support families during COVID-19 child care reopening and beyond. We will explore our collective role to ensure healthy outcomes for all and…
Growing up in Queens, our family escaped to Vermont each summer. In the mid-1980s, we returned for good, making a home in southern Vermont. I went to college at UVM, but made my way back to Bennington, joining my parents to start our company, Global-Z.
As my business and my own family grew, I became…
As you evaluate when and how to reopen your program, you might be asking yourself how to support staff and/or families with adjusting to new policies and practices. This Northern Lights-approved training will focus on change management – processes, tools, and techniques you can use to manage the people…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
COVID-19 has made us all painfully aware of the critical role that child care plays in our society. That is why our Action Teams are assembling again in a new virtual environment to take action together.
In some ways, Action Teams have changed—we can’t meet in person or plan community events at local…
I've always loved Vermont's state motto: Freedom and Unity. We Vermonters take our freedom and independence seriously. It gives us the kind of true grit required to withstand snowstorms in October and May. But our independence has never been challenged like it is being challenged now. In the face of…
Child care businesses are opening back up and people are getting back to work, but perhaps you still have unanswered business-related questions and need to make decisions now – and for the future. We’re here to help! Let’s Grow Kids and our panel of experts will bring you the latest business information,…
What Do You Need? www.SharedServicesVT.org Has It!
Spend 45 minutes having a guided tour of all of the COVID-19 related resources, discounts, professional development opportunities and so much more that www.SharedServicesVT.org has to offer. Easy tips to maximize your benefit will be shared.
Click…
With the reopening of child care businesses on the horizon, questions about business liability, the safety of you and your employees, and new requirements might have your head swirling. We’re here to help. Though we don’t have all of the answers yet, we do have some sound advice from a panel of experts:
John…
This 90-minute Northern Lights-approved online, real-time training will describe all of the possible ways owners of child care businesses can pass their business on to new owners. Included in this overview will be the pros and cons and the mechanics of selling to an outside buyer, transferring ownership…
This Northern Lights accredited training will provide guidelines for COVID-19 best practices for health and safety. Details will include updated protocols for the reopening of child care programs and services, monitoring for symptoms and illness, guidance for wellness-checks, use of protective equipment,…
During this 4-hour Northern Lights accredited, online real-time training, participants will learn to use the ASQ-3 tool to accurately identify children at risk for developmental delay. Participants will review the benefits of developmental screening, describe features of the ASQ-3, learn to accurately…
When Gov. Phil Scott closed schools and childcare centers in March, families were abruptly faced with a new reality. For parents who are able to do their jobs remotely, that has meant trying to figure out how to actually get work done while simultaneously caring for their kids and helping them access…
As a supporter of our movement, you have helped Let's Grow Kids respond to the challenges that early educators, children and families, and communities are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this hour, you'll learn how Let's Grow Kids has been responding to COVID-19, gain some tips for working at…
Let's Grow Kids is pleased to be joining the Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance for an advocacy training on "Getting Back to Advocacy on Child Care and Early Education." The online real-time training will include an update on State House activities and a Q&A period.
Click here to register.
30% of programs in Vermont were open during the pandemic providing emergency care to essential persons.
In this two-hour Northern Lights-accredited online real-time training, you'll hear from our panel of emergency child care early educators as they share lessons learned and tips on how to prepare to…
Click here to listen to the recording of this episode on Vermont Edition.
On March 27, Gov. Scott issued an executive order extending the closure of child care programs for non-essential workers until further notice. This hour, we talk to child care directors whose programs are open amidst COVID-19,…
Six weeks have passed since childcare centers in Vermont were ordered to close. Gov. Phil Scott's March 18 order provided an exception for those centers providing care for the children of essential workers. However, childcare has continued as other facilities have maintained operations, even while doors…
Emilu Alvarez closed her private Miami preschool and kindergarten in late March as the new coronavirus began to spread and worried parents began to keep their kids at home. She kept paying her staff as she applied for federal small business loans and local foundation grants.
But the financial help never…
With changing tax dates, rules, and procedures, it’s hard to know what to do and when. Join Let’s Grow Kids and our expert panel to discuss tax law and how it affects you and your business.
This training is eligible for a 1-hour Program Organization Professional Development Credit through Northern…
In the midst of this unprecedented global public health crisis, there are many shifts in the child care business landscape, both locally and nationally. Join Let’s Grow Kids and our experts—Aly Richards, Let’s Grow Kids; Lynette M. Fraga, PhD, Child Care Aware of America; Morgan Crossman, PhD, Building…
The next Early Childhood Forum on Child Care from our friends at Building Bright Futures will feature a discussion on:
Tools to support families
Continuity of Learning for PreK
Act 166 funding during the closure period and interaction the stabilization program
Child Care Stabilization Program
Definition…
The next Early Childhood Forum on Child Care from our friends at Building Bright Futures will feature a discussion on:
Tools to support families
Continuity of learning for pre-K
Act 166 funding during the closure period and interaction the stabilization program
Child Care Stabilization Program
Definition…
Fragmented, inconsistent, under-resourced—early childhood education exists in a situation of difficult current realities. It is time to envision and build toward a different future. In this two-hour Northern Lights-accredited online real-time training, participants will deepen and extend their understanding…
Fragmented, inconsistent, under-resourced—early childhood education exists in a situation of difficult current realities. It is time to envision and build toward a different future. In this two-hour Northern Lights-accredited online real-time training, participants will deepen and extend their understanding…
Fragmented, inconsistent, under-resourced—early childhood education exists in a situation of difficult current realities. It is time to envision and build toward a different future. In this two-hour Northern Lights-accredited online real-time training, participants will deepen and extend their understanding…
Fragmented, inconsistent, under-resourced—early childhood education exists in a situation of difficult current realities. It is time to envision and build toward a different future. In this two-hour Northern Lights-accredited online real-time training, participants will deepen and extend their understanding…
The next Early Childhood Forum on Child Care from our friends at Building Bright Futures will feature a discussion on:
Re-opening of child care
Health and safety of children and providers
Highlights of CDD re-opening survey
Agency representatives will include:
Dr. Breena Holmes, Director of…
As the coronavirus crisis continues, parents everywhere are struggling to support children through the sudden closures and now slow reopening of childcare, work and community. If you’re anxious about this next phase of the pandemic response, you are in good company!
Building Bright Futures, in partnership…
Fragmented, inconsistent, under-resourced—early childhood education exists in a situation of difficult current realities. It is time to envision and build toward a different future. In this two-hour Northern Lights-approved online real-time training, participants will deepen and extend their understanding…
In times of uncertainty and crisis, self-care is more important than ever. Managing tensions now, over the next few weeks, and long term is critical for you and your staff, and we’re here to help. Join Let’s Grow Kids for a discussion with our HR consultants to review potential tools in the self-care…
COVID-19 has meant closure, and we are now on the unexpected journey of reopening our businesses. But take heart—as parents and/or child care providers and early educators, we are seasoned travelers. The strategies we have used in our prior travels will serve us today.
In this engaging Northern Lights-accredited…
During this 4-hour Northern Lights-accredited professional development training, participants will learn to use the ASQ-3 tool to accurately identify children at risk for developmental delay. Participants will review the benefits of developmental screening, describe features of the ASQ-3, learn to accurately…
Each of us is in a very different place than we were six weeks ago. Everyone has a story of vulnerability, courage, bravery, resilience, and strength that brought them to the place they are in today. Undoubtedly, much has changed since we left our workplaces in mid-March. Let’s dive into the fear and…
Have you checked out the new and improved SharedServicesVT.org?!
The next in our series of monthly webinar trainings on how to get the best use of SharedServicesVT.org will be Thursday, April 16 at 1 PM or 6 PM. This month’s topic is “Family Engagement: Tools to make connecting with families easy and…
In these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that now more than ever, there is a lot of uncertainty on how to make ends meet. We’ve heard your concerns on making payroll and we want to help connect you with consultants who can answer your questions. Please join our conversation on what…
Our friends at Building Bright Futures have scheduled a series of online forums to discuss COVID-19’s impact on Vermont’s children, families and early childhood partners, and to answer your questions about child care. Representatives from Vermont’s Child Development Division and Children’s Integrated…
We’re pleased to offer a new, Northern-Lights-accredited professional development opportunity for directors and teachers in center- and family-based child care programs.
During this unprecedented health care emergency, child care programs are closed yet are finding innovative ways to connect with children,…
We’re pleased to offer a new, Northern-Lights-accredited professional development opportunity for directors and teachers in center- and family-based child care programs.
During this unprecedented health care emergency, child care programs are closed yet are finding innovative ways to connect with children,…
Located in the heart of Vermont, along Interstate 89 and just south of Montpelier, the Randolph area faces the typical challenges in our state. Our area residents are working to grow our businesses and schools, ensure economic stability, and make Randolph a place young families seek for good reasons.…
MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) New numbers show Vermont doesn't have enough early education workers to meet the demand for child care.
A study out Thursday from child care advocacy group "Let's Grow Kids" says right now, we have about 2,700 child care workers. They estimate that to meet the demand for regulated…
A presentation by Let's Grow Kids CEO Aly Richards as part of the Vermont Humanities Council's "First Wednesdays" lecture series.
For kids, the benefits of early education are obvious: 90% of the brain develops by age five. But the impact goes beyond just children; access to early education is Vermont’s…
Emily, a business owner and parent from Middlebury, talks about balancing work and family.
Brent, master sergeant in the Vermont Air National Guard from Essex Junction, talks about the importance of child care for military families and beyond.
Jack, a pediatrician from Middlebury, explains that prevention is less expensive than intervention.
Caroline, president of the National Bank of Middlebury, discusses the intersection of work and having a family.
Lydia, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from Shelburne, discusses her salary.
Sarah Buxton, a former state representative from Tunbridge, discusses Vermont's commitment to young children and our future.
Jen, a Child Care Coordinator, talks about Specialized Care in the Child Care setting.
Shayla, a parent from Barre, talks about her road to becoming an Early Childhood Provider at a center in Montpelier.
Cristina, a Child Care Center Director from Manchester Center, describes the complicated nature of running a Center.
Chelsea, a center-based Provider/Teacher in Bennington, describes what she would need to stay and thrive in the field of early childhood.
The Addison County Early Childhood Director's Network invites you to join them to celebrate the success Vermont lawmakers made last legislative session in investments in high-quality child care, and look ahead to the 2020 legislative policy agenda. Refreshments will be provided. To RSVP, please contact…
Join us for a FREE screening of No Small Matter! This is the first feature-length documentary to explore the most overlooked, underestimated and powerful force for leveling the playing field for children today: affordable access to high-quality child care. Please RSVP here.
Join us for a FREE screening of No Small Matter! This is the first feature-length documentary to explore the most overlooked, underestimated and powerful force for leveling the playing field for children today: affordable access to high-quality child care. Please email Anna Gebhardt to RSVP.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) The Burlington-based early childhood education nonprofit, Let's Grow Kids, has named its fifth-annual educator of the year.
Meri Caprenter-Saladino of Bradford was honored during the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children annual conference last Friday. The award…
Jump, jump, jump up and down! Dance and sing along as Mister Chris and his band of special friends perform new and familiar songs, including favorites from the popular Vermont PBS music series for kiddos, Mister Chris and Friends! Featuring Caleb Bronz (Drums), Tyler Bolles (Upright Bass), Emma Cooke…
Jump, jump, jump up and down! Dance and sing along as Mister Chris and his band of special friends perform new and familiar songs, including favorites from the popular Vermont PBS music series for kiddos, Mister Chris and Friends! Featuring Caleb Bronz (Drums), Tyler Bolles (Upright Bass), Emma Cooke…
Jump, jump, jump up and down! Dance and sing along as Mister Chris and his band of special friends perform new and familiar songs, including favorites from the popular Vermont PBS music series for kiddos, Mister Chris and Friends! Featuring Caleb Bronz (Drums), Tyler Bolles (Upright Bass), Emma Cooke…
Jump, jump, jump up and down! Dance and sing along as Mister Chris and his band of special friends perform new and familiar songs, including favorites from the popular Vermont PBS music series for kiddos, Mister Chris and Friends! Featuring Caleb Bronz (Drums), Tyler Bolles (Upright Bass), Emma Cooke…
Join Let's Grow Kids, Spring Hill School and Big Picture Theater for a FREE screening of No Small Matter! This is a feature-length documentary film about how high-quality early education isn't just powerful – it's possible. We'll screen the film, talk about the Mad River Valley's early education needs…
Matt Ball wants to be a professional basketball player, but coaching is his back-up plan. This fall, the Rivendell Academy junior is one of seven students in the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center’s new Coaching and Leading course, gaining some skills that should serve him well whether he ends…
Jump, jump, jump up and down! Dance and sing along as Mister Chris and his band of special friends perform new and familiar songs, including favorites from the popular Vermont PBS music series for kiddos, Mister Chris and Friends! Featuring Caleb Bronz (Drums), Tyler Bolles (Upright Bass), Emma Cooke…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
This meeting has been postponed. Please stay tuned for updates. And be well!
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
Join us at the 4th annual Rally for Kids where hundreds upon hundreds of early childhood champions will gather on the steps of the State House to call for major new investments in child care.
The Rally for Kids is a family-friendly event, so bring your kiddos! And join us in the State House after the…
This meeting has been postponed. Please stay tuned for updates. And be well!
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As a professional in the field of women’s health, I felt fairly well-prepared for pregnancy and parenthood. I was enrolled in nursing school while working full-time, but my husband and I made the decision that I would quit my job after my maternity leave ended and then continue my studies while caring…
I really credit high-quality early childhood educators with helping my family find resources to diagnose and treat my son’s developmental delays.
When my oldest daughter was in child care, I found the educators to be a wonderful source of support and information. I didn’t have a lot of family around,…
I always knew that I wanted to work with young children. Since I can remember I’ve just known I wanted to be an early childhood educator. I was always that one kid in high school that knew where their path was going to be—I was going to work with young children.
My undergraduate education cemented my…
I started looking for child care ONE YEAR before I would need it and I’m still looking.
In January of 2019, very shortly after discovering I was pregnant, I started calling around to all of the child care contacts I could find. I was asking for an infant spot for January of 2020. Just about everyone…
I had never thought about child care before I had kids. I didn't even used to want kids. When the time came for me to find child care, I was really impressed with the classrooms at ABC & LOL in St. Johnsbury. They are filled with kids that are playing. There's this mix of play and structure, that I think…
I’ve always been a planner, so when my husband and I decided to start our family, we immediately began searching for child care. We were prepared for the financial hit that child care would pose, and for me, it was worth it. It was a tough number to swallow, but then you remember the care that they're…
I had a gut feeling that my son was slightly different from other kids his age and, despite my reservations, I pursued a clinical evaluation of his developmental progress when he was 19 months old.
When I opened the evaluation report, I was surprised by how emotional it made me. It’s just very strange…
84% of early educators across the country who want to make early childhood education their long-term career, say low pay is a serious barrier to staying in the field. How can it be the people we entrust with the care and education of young children during the most critical time of human development, aren’t earning enough to support their own families?
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) The state is celebrating $7 million of help for Vermonters who pay for child care. So how do those dollars translate into real help for families? Our Cat Viglienzoni spoke with a mom whose life was forever changed when she lost care for her kids.
I lost my job, my life savings…
CEO Aly Richards sat down with Steve Adubato, host of Think Tank with Steve Adubato, at The Turrell Fund Day for Children in Shelburne to discuss the Let's Grow Kids mission, the impact of child care on the healthy development of all children and the importance of investment on high-quality, affordable child care.
BOLTON, Vt. (WCAX) New options for child care closer to work and play in Bolton.
We've been reporting for years on Vermont's child care crunch and efforts to add more spaces for infants and toddlers in particular.
Last year in Chittenden County, 52 infant spots were added but 63 toddler spots went…
Thanks to a grant from Let's Grow Kids, Bolton Valley Resort expanded their employee and guest drop-in to full-time child care program.
Click here to watch this video on the Burlington Free Press website.
Fathers (and partners!) of young children living in Vermont are welcome to come to ECHO on for Dad's Day at ECHO! Fathers and their children will enjoy early morning access to the lower floor of the center as well as a complimentary bagel breakfast. Dads will have the opportunity to share their child…
In celebration of the historic win for kids in this year’s legislative session, we’re throwing a summer family celebration! LGK will provide a summer meal as well as our bubble machine and big Legos, and some other fun activities for kiddos. You’ll get to thank your local legislators, hear more about…
Editor’s note: This commentary is by Lisa Ventriss, of South Burlington, who is the president of the Vermont Business Roundtable, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of private and nonprofit employers.
Early in my time at the Vermont Business Roundtable (Roundtable) we authored a report titled Having…
Let’s Grow Kids is working to ensure that all children in Vermont have access to the lifelong opportunities we know early childhood education provides. Last week the Agency of Education released a legislative report on Act 166 implementation that makes it clear that universal pre-K is helping Vermont…
Heather Martin, director of Baby Steps Child Care in Proctor, VT, discusses the impact the LGK's Make Way For Kids grant has had. Learn more about Make Way for Kids here.
Burlington, Vermont – Let’s Grow Kids (LGK) is pleased to announce that Calais attorney Trey Martin, currently a director at Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC (DRM), has been hired as LGK’s general counsel and chief strategy officer. In this role, Martin will oversee LGK’s overarching legal, policy and political…
Today Governor Phil Scott signed the state budget into law that invests $7.4 million to expand Vermonters’ access to high-quality, affordable child care. Of all the many priorities for legislators and the administration, child care rose to the top with unprecedented tripartisan support for much-needed…
[See below for an update from Let's Grow Kids.]
Two months ago, I told Vermont legislators the story of how I lost my job, my life savings and my apartment after I lost access to child care.
It all started in January 2017 when my child care provider suddenly closed her doors. I was a full-time state…
BURLINGTON, Vt. (June 12, 2019) – Save the Children, the first global movement for children, has named Let’s Grow Kids CEO Aly Richards as a Changemaker for Children. As part of celebrating its 100th year of changing children’s lives, the global nonprofit is bestowing the honor to individuals who have…
Your story is important and it matters. Learn how to share your story in order to create positive change for young children and families. Your story can make a difference, learn how! Dinner provided.
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
This mid-summer meeting will be dedicated to planning our family picnic and celebration coming up in August! Snacks will be provided. All are welcome.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Shayla Zammuto at shayla@letsgrowkids.org or 802-448-4409, or Natalie Glynn at natalie@letsgrowkids.org…
In celebration of the historic win for kids in this year’s legislative session, we’ll be gathering at Snow Farm Vineyard for a summer family picnic. LGK will provide a summer meal as well as our bubble machines and big Legos, and some other fun activities for the kiddos. Come celebrate in a beautiful…
In Vermont, we are very lucky to have so many options when it comes to preparing for pregnancy, pregnancy, labor, birth and young families. However, many women and couples are not aware of all that is available to them. This is VT's Original Pregnancy & Baby Expo! We'll be tabling at this annual event…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
Join Let’s Grow Kids for a free, fun, family event at the National Night Out. National Night Out is an annual community building campaign to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Through the local police and other community partnerships, join us for free food, games, slip…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
Of all the competing funding priorities debated this legislative session in Montpelier, increased investments in child care rose to the top for good reason. The $7.4 million child care package included in the budget is one of the biggest investments the capitol made this year. It is also one that could…
BURLINGTON, Vt. —Parents of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers have been eager to ask me questions about the benefits of child care. May 10 is National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, so I'll provide information on the benefits of high-quality child care.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently…
Editor’s note: This commentary is by Eddie Gale, of Johnson, who has been the Vermont program director for the A.D. Henderson Foundation since 2001. He is a former member of the Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council (2012-2018) and a former board member of Mentor Vermont (formerly Mobius). The…
Tucked inside the budget lawmakers passed last week was a key priority for Democratic leadership and Gov. Phil Scott – a boost for the state’s child care system.
The $7.4 million package isn’t entirely new money, and not all of it will necessarily come back next year. It’s also dwarfed in comparison…
By January, if all goes according to schedule, the sounds of little voices will fill the former Bridgewater Village School again.
Let’s Grow Kids, a Burlington-based nonprofit agency promoting access to high-quality child care in Vermont, has awarded the Bridgewater Area Community Foundation a $23,100…
After decades of philanthropic investment in Vermont’s early care and learning system, it is gratifying to see a bill moving through the Legislature that includes significant new investments to make high-quality child care more affordable to Vermont families. H531, the child care bill, passed unanimously…
When Carla Galaise learned she was pregnant, she quickly called child care centers to get on waiting lists. Almost everyone she shared her news with had warned her to do so.
It’s estimated 50 percent of Vermont’s infants and toddlers who need child care do not have access to a regulated facility or…
Michael Seaver is president of People's United Bank, Vermont.
Throughout the course of my life I have had countless opportunities to learn the same lesson: When you engage with children and invest in them at a young age, their opportunity for success skyrockets.
In January, I joined fellow business…
House lawmakers last month approved a substantial increase in funding for childcare services, but leaders in the Senate say they aren’t ready to commit to the proposal.
Vermonters who don’t have little kids at home might be surprised to find out just how difficult it is to find, let alone afford, childcare…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
Are you looking for a way to get involved in social justice work but unsure of where to start? Come learn about groups working in VT that need more people power! The day will end with a Rutland-style block party from 4-5pm! Suggested donation $15; free under 25. No one turned away for lack of funds.…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
LGK will have a booth at this increasingly well-attended event. The event starts at 2:00 PM and lasts until 8:00 PM. We will begin setting up at 12:30 PM. Please make sure to stop by our table under the Nonprofit Village tent!
FREE tickets are available for volunteers.
The lineup for music this year…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
First, I looked at providers in my area. Then I looked at the Building Bright Futures website which gives a list of violations from the state. This narrowed my list for people to call. My son has special health needs, so I made sure to see how the providers felt (and what experience they may have had)…
My daughter has been in outside care since she was seven months old. When searching for the right place, we considered location, caregivers, and quality of experience. Play and outside time are priorities for our family, and social and emotional development are crucial for young kids.
~Molly D., Waterbury,…
I chose to seek child care outside of the home, and chose an Enrichment Center. We appreciated the light enrichment and education aspects which accompanied fun and play. Contact and interaction with other children was also important to us, as it relates to diversity and forming social skills. From a…
I have children four years apart: a boy and then twin girls. They were all ready for kindergarten after being in an alternative school with teacher continuity. When the girls went to full time kindergarten and we were taking the first day photos I had to fake that I was crying. I was so relieved and…
As a single mom, affording child care has been a constant struggle. Having grown up in poverty, it’s very important to me to work and give back to my community. I receive assistance paying for child care through the Child Care Financial Assistance Program, but the program structure has created some unfortunate…
My life path was a common one for native Vermonters: I moved out of state for college and grad school, but then returned home and started my family here. My then-husband and I were proactive about finding child care as soon as we became pregnant. I remember other parents and doctors were telling us…
I absolutely loved my job working as an early childhood educator, but when I became pregnant, my family faced a heartbreaking reality: even with a substantial discount and guaranteed spot for our son through my workplace, we still did not make enough money to afford child care. So I quit.
It was the…
As a single mom, finding reliable child care for my son Julian has been a consistent obstacle to my professional development and financial stability. My son is different and more anxious than other children his age, and I'm working to get an official diagnosis. We are trying to pinpoint what exactly…
I am an early childhood professional with over 10 years of experience. I consider myself a lifelong learner and I bring that experience into my teaching daily. I recently realized that I needed to practice more self-care, and that modeling this for my students could create a learning opportunity for…
I’m a hard-working mom to two toddlers. When my husband and I looked for child care for our children, we realized that the expense would be a substantial portion of our monthly income. To make ends meet, we lived with another family in a single-wide trailer. Our four-member family was living in one room.
My…
Affordable is such an interesting word. You have to make it affordable—you really don’t have a choice. For our family, we were lucky, we had two working parents, and we were able to afford child care. My husband and I were fortunate enough to have space in our budget that could accommodate the costs…
My husband and I found out we were going to have a baby on the day we moved from Pennsylvania to Underhill, VT. It was unexpected news, but we were excited about our new lives in Vermont, the new jobs we both had waiting for us, and the idea of starting our family in Vermont.
We now have two children…
As a preschool teacher, navigating early childhood with my own son was more challenging than I expected. My husband and I made the choice that I would leave work and stay home with our son for the first year of his life. With my experience, I felt prepared for this work, but I had never worked with infants…
Throughout my entire pregnancy, my husband and I searched for a child care opening that could accept an infant. We felt a sense of panic and regret that the solutions available to our parents’ generation are no longer practical.
My family has experienced wonderful care provided by Orleans Family Medical Practice in Orleans, Vermont. Not only do they greet my family by name, but they genuinely care about our well-being. During my son's 1 year check-up, Dr. Bourgeois stated the importance of DHA and how it impacts my child's brain…
My child's transition to kindergarten was wonderful. He is seven years old and continues to have a remarkable experience at school. I believe this was because I read and sang to him right from the start. Even as he squirmed, I didn't give up and instead got some sensory books that he warmed up to immediately…
Gabriel started kindergarten at Newport City Elementary yesterday, and this is what he said, "Mommy do you have to come with me? Can you just drop me off? It's ok....really, I've got this." He actually requested that I NOT stand in line with him to bring him to his teacher.
Gabriel had the privilege…
My son had a very exciting first day of kindergarten! He was actually ready to go the day before school started!
My goal has always been for him to enjoy everything about education and learning—from the many different ways we learn, to embracing new ideas—all while being open minded and respectful.
He…
My son attended Round Hill Kids Childcare Center in North Hyde Park, VT from the age of 10 months until he entered kindergarten in 2013. His experience there gave him a lot of the tools he needed to be successful in school (and in life). I will be forever grateful he was able to have this experience…
My boyfriend and I work hard. He is a foreman on a construction sight. I am a part time waitress, and I clean the daycare and help out with some of the errands to help pay the cost of my child care.
I could be getting state funding because we are not married, but we do not want to rely on anyone. We…
My name is Kate Anger. I recently had a beautiful baby boy and couldn't be happier! However, the impending cost of child care has had my family struggling to figure out what to do. I work in the human services and my husband is a para educator. Combined we make enough to put us right over the income…
I am a single, divorced mother of 3.5 year old twins and work full-time in a high-responsibility job in mental health program administration. I make more money than I ever have in my life, but finding and paying for 2 full time child care spots for twins has been an enormous logistical and financial…
We live in Bridport, Vermont and the school has no after school child care. Because of this, we have had to put our child in private school, paying a tuition we really cannot afford. We have no other option. I know other parents in the same situation who have had to completely change their work schedules…
My family lives in Craftsbury where finding childcare has become a struggle for many families. Those of us in small towns have no access to large childcare centers and our registered home daycares have been forced to shut down due to expensive and sometimes ridiculous regulations set by the state. Our…
This following is a letter to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Financing High Quality, Affordable Child Care.
To the Blue Ribbon Commission:
My name is Jackie Kempton and I am the mother of two girls, living in Peacham, VT. I wanted to share with you my story about child care in hopes that this would…
My name is Abby Skidmore. I live in Bennington and I am the proud single mother of a beautiful little girl. I love being her mom! Every day is filled with learning experiences—for my daughter and for me—and it brings me such joy to see the positive changes happening in her life and to know I played a…
My name is Jennifer Galusha. I work in Manchester Center and I’m a single mother of an amazing, intelligent and imaginative soon-to-be 3 year old boy. I love watching his curiosity drive him to explore and learn new things. His favorite color is orange so when I pick him up from child care, I always…
As an early childhood specialist, I see the urgent need to level the playing field for young children’s present and future success by making quality child care more affordable. Because the brain develops most rapidly before age 5, it’s the best window of opportunity for children to build strong learning…
In 2016, after a full calendar year of searching for an infant spot in Burlington, I re-entered the workforce without care for my daughter. Out of desperation, I hired a full-time nanny even though I knew my family could not afford one. After a few months I eventually found an infant spot with an in-home…
This isn't the regular story of simply not being able to afford care—this is the story of not being able to even FIND quality care to be able to afford.
My husband and I struggled with infertility, and for once, we were lucky because of it. We knew the instant we were pregnant and were able to hop on…
Mary, an Early Interventionist from Marlboro, shares how transformative friendships start at a very young age.
Amy, a parent from Richmond, talks about the high costs of child care.
Mary, an Early Interventionist from Marlboro, discusses the complex role of an early childhood educator in Vermont.
Marianna, a parent from Marshfield, talks about her family's struggles to make ends meet.
Amethyst, a Resource Specialist at a Children's Center from Ferrisburgh, discusses the impacts of trauma on children, families and providers.
Darlene, Co-Director of a Child Care Center in Bennington, shares her views on high quality child care.
Kim, a Director of Residential and Community Treatment for a Family Center, discusses the importance of child care for parents in treatment.
Lydia, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from Shelburne, discusses the issue of high turnover in child care settings.
Heather, a parent from Fairfax, shares the difficulties finding childcare during her transition back to work.
Melanie, a parent from Weybridge, discusses child care: the need for more infant care and the high costs of quality care.
Jodi, a Pre-School Teacher from Dorset, shares why she loves her work in Early Childhood Education.
Cristina, a Child Care Center Director in Manchester Center, talks about the disconnect between the costs of running a center and the cost to families.
Shayla, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from Barre, talks about her guiding principles for being an early childhood educator.
Kathy, a Teacher from Burlington, discusses the need for coordinated programs that support kids and their parents.
Larissa, a parent from Fairfax, describes the important social network for children in child care.
Kelly, a parent from White River Junction, describes the dedication and support she received from child care providers.
Ellen, a parent from Burlington, explains the challenge of finding child care and her relief at finding a high quality center.
Becky, a Child Center Program Coordinator from Whiting, shares the benefits of quality child care on a child.
Dana, a Health Coordinator from Middlesex, discusses the importance of social contact in the early years.
Jen, a Child Care Coordinator, describes specialized care for children with special needs.
Peter, Superintendent of the Addison Central Supervisory Union, discusses the positive direction Vermont is heading with Pre-K options for families.
Nathaniel, a parent from Guilford, highlights the importance of making child care financially accessible to a range of income levels.
Mary, an Early Interventionist from Marlboro, discusses the complex issues that teachers/providers face and their need for training.
Sarah, a parent from Brattleboro, shares her experiences paying for child care and the need for providers to make a livable wage.
Robert Putnam, a Harvard social scientist and author, discusses the advent of the high school in America and how it changed society.
Kelley, a Head Start Assistant Director from Clarendon, emphasizes the need for high quality child care for all of Vermont's young children.
Anne, a parent from Wolcott, talks about the difficult financial issues faced by families and child care providers.
Emily, a business owner and parent from Middlebury, talks about the importance of dialogue around issues of child care and parenting.
Kathryn, a special educator from Hubbardton, talks about the importance of play and laying a foundation for higher level thinking later in life.
Kathy, a Financial Coordinator for a Family Center, discusses the sacrifices families make in order to have quality child care.
Judy, a Child Care Coordinator from Richmond, talks about the importance of a joyous childhood.
Kylie, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from Richmond, explains why she works with young children.
Kathy, a parent from Colchester, shares her hopes for her children.
Carol, Director of a Child Care Center from Shaftsbury, discusses the importance of qualified, professional child care providers.
Barbara, a State Representative from Burlington, talks about her three interconnected roles as a mother, representative, and executive director.
Bryanne, a Director of a Child Care Center that is closing, talks about the impacts of a closing Child Care Center.
Stephanie, a parent from Shaftsbury, talks about her respect for her son's teachers.
Dawna, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from North Hartland, talks about the importance of love and support in the early years.
Judy, a Child Care Coordinator from Richmond, stresses the importance of community and supports for families.
Jessica, a parent from South Burlington, shares her experiences with finding child care for her daughter.
Selver, a parent from Shelburne, discusses the difficulties of being a single parent of two in child care.
Hope, a Foundation Program Director from Barnet, describes the big gap in what child care costs and what families can afford to pay.
Renee, a Pre-school Teacher from Arlington, discusses the struggles of being an early childhood educator.
Donna, the Director of a Parent Child Center in Middlebury, discusses the financial challenges that families face, specifically with child care.
Trevor and Caitlin, parents from Brattleboro, talk about the high cost and importance of early childhood care.
Sally, a grandparent from Fairlee, reflects on the new child care challenges that today's parents face.
Megan, a Development Assistant from Colchester, discusses the need for more funding in early childhood education.
Anne, a parent from Wolcott, talks about her desire to keep a toe in the workforce while parenting.
Donna, the Director of a Parent Child Center in Middlebury, talks about the need for prioritizing early childhood in State budgets and minds.
Carly, Family Support at a Family Center from Wilder, relfects on the struggles of families living poverty.
Lydia, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from Shelburne, discusses the importance of young children's long lasting bonds with providers.
Heather, a Home-based Provider/Owner from Shelburne, explains the need to better support child care providers and teachers.
Janel, a parent from Johnson, talks about the challenges she faces with making it all work.
Dan, Manager and Co-Owner of Dan and Whit's Country Store in Norwich, discusses the importance of investing in the early years.
Carol, Director of a Child Care Center from Shaftsbury, talks about the diverse ways of funding a child care program.
Heather, a Home-based Provider/Owner from Shelburne, discusses the difficult choices parents make due to the lack of affordable, quality child care.
Donna, a Reading Recovery Teacher from Irasburg, shares her observations of young children entering Pre-K and Kindergarten.
Jodi, a Pre-school Teacher from Dorset, discusses the importance of professional development for ealy childhood educators.
Ashlie, a parent from Norwich, shares her biggest hope for her children.
Deidre, a parent from Elmore, shares her experiences as a stay-at-home Mom.
Julie of Newport discusses the impact of not having high quality child care on a community.
Ashlie, a parent from Norwich, shares her story about getting her GED with the help of child care.
Caroline, President of the National Bank of Middlebury, talks about the out-of-sync nature of work and parenting.
Shayla, a parent from Barre, shares her experience with finding a child care provider that felt right for her and her child.
Rebecca, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from St. Albans, talks about her financial challenges in paying for child care.
Sarah, a State Representative from Tunbridge, discusses Vermont's commitment to young children and our future.
Robert Putnam, a Harvard social scientist and author, discusses the need to invest in high quality early childhood education.
Anne, a Center-based Child Care Provider from Manchester, talks about what keeps her in early childhood education.
Katie, a parent from St. Albans, shares her story about addiction and the role that child care has played on her road to recovery.
Heather, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from Rutland, emphasizes the importance of social and intellectual development in the early years.
Matt, a parent from Bakersfield, talks about the financial difficulties child care centers face.
Peter, Superintendent of the Addison Central Supervisory Union, talks about Universal Pre-K in Vermont.
Holly, a parent from Norwich, talks about putting her life back together with the help of child care.
Rebecca, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from St. Albans, describes how child care helps children prepare for Kindergarten.
Carol, Director of a Child Care Center from Shaftsbury, discusses the difficulties of managing a child care center amidst changing resources.
Kathleen, an Early Childhood Teacher from Cornwall, discusses structure in the child care setting.
Jen, a parent from Enosburg, shares her struggles as a single mom seeking consistent, affordable, quality child care for her son.
Emily, a business owner and parent from Middlebury, talks about balancing work and family.
Bryanne, a Director of a Child Care Center that is closing, discusses the close relationships providers and parents share.
Robin, a community organizer from Brattleboro, stresses the importance of connection between provider and child.
Jessica, a parent from South Burlington, talks about the cost of child care as a family in the National Guard.
Cindy, a parent from Johnson, describes her struggle to find a job that is family friendly and flexible.
Darlene, Co-Director of a Child Care Center in Bennington, discusses their approach to early childhood education.
Christina, Program Security Manager for the VT Air National Guard from Williston, discusses the requirements of being in the Guard.
Christina, Program Security Manager for the VT Air National Guard from Williston, talks about being away from her kids during deployment.
Donna, the Director of a Parent Child Center in Middlebury, discusses the importance of engaging families to accommodate their needs.
Julie, a resident of Newport, talks about the child care climate of Orleans County.
Renee, a Pre-school Teacher from Arlington, discusses the hardships of finding care in a rural community.
Courtney, a parent from Middlebury, talks about the cost and the importance of child care.
Brent, Master Sergeant in the Vermont Air National Guard from Essex Junction, discusses the Home Child Care Program on Drill weekends.
Sandy, a grandparent from Lyndonville, details the need for early childhood education funding.
Krystal, a parent from Brattleboro, talks about the difficulty of finding child care that fits into her schedule.
Lydia, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from Shelburne, highlights low pay and the lack of health insurance as key issues for providers.
Danielle, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from Burlington, talks about the joys of helping a young child become more independent.
Angela, a Home-based Provider/Owner from Highgate, describes the tensions that parents and providers face with affording child care.
Ellen, a parent from Burlington, discusses how expensive, necessary and important high quality child care is.
Emily, a business owner and parent from Middlebury, discusses making business decisions that take families into consideration.
Grace, a parent from Burlington, discusses the positive impact child care has had on her and her daughter's life.
Ashley, a parent from Middlebury, explains the tough child care decision her family made to balance personal and financial needs.
Renee, a Child Care Center Director from St. Albans, discusses the impact of working in a low paying field.
Danielle, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from Burlington, describes the dilemma of leaving a job she loves to make ends meet.
Jessica, a parent from South Burlington, discusses her daughter's positive experiences with child care.
Shevie, a parent from White River Junction, talks about her experiences navigating the child care system.
Keisha, a parent from West Addison, talks about her daily routine of school and parenting.
Carol, Director of a Child Care Center from Shaftsbury, describes the need for more collaboration between schools and child care programs.
Hope, a grandparent from Barnet, expects that she'll need to help pay for the high costs of her grandchild's child care.
Emily, a business owner and parent from Middlebury, discusses the importance of work in her life as a parent.
Megan, a parent from Middlebury, shares what she would do with a magic wand.
Rebecca, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from St. Albans, discusses what quality means to her in the child care setting.
The Let's Grow Kids Small Talk team asked interviewees: if you had a magic wand, how would you change child care in Vermont?
Sam, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from Stowe, emphasizes the need for a diverse workforce in the child care field.
Dan, Manager and Co-Owner of Dan and Whit's Country Store in Norwich, talks about the benefits of being a family friendly business.
Brooke, a parent from Danville, describes her vision for child care for her family.
Darlene, Co-Director of a Child Care Center in Bennington, discusses the important skills needed to be an early childhood educator.
William, a parent from Rutland, talks about how the inflexibility of schedule and high cost of child care have a stressful impact on families.
Christina, a parent from Hartford, shares her thoughts about the importance of child care for her daughter.
Kysa, a parent from Williamstown, shares her struggles and successes in navigating her day-to-day routine.
Kim, a Director of Residential and Community Treatment for a Family Center, discusses the need for a holistic approach to caring for children and families.
Sandy, a grandparent from Lyndonville, shares her story about her grandchildren who have benefitted from high quality child care.
Shayla, a Center-based Provider/Teacher from Barre, discusses the rewards and challenges of working in the child care field.
Renee, a Pre-school Teacher from Arlington, talks about the large pay difference in the education field.
Dana, a parent from Middlesex, talks about her positive experiences with child care for her twins.
Jared, a parent from Shaftsbury, shares his challenges of finding affordable, quality child care in Bennington County.
Carly, Family Support at a Family Center from Wilder, shares her wishes for Vermont's children
Jennifer, former Manager at a Child Care Center from Derby, describes her ideal child care system.
Christopher, a Family Educator at a Child Care Center in Norwich, talks about the benefits of parent education.
Anne, a parent from Wolcott, discusses the joyous but difficult time when adapting to having a new member of the family.
Sasha, a parent from White River Junction, talks about the importance of a qualified child care provider for her child.
Brent, Master Sergeant in the Vermont Air National Guard from Essex Junction, talks about the importance of child care for military families and beyond.
Daniel, a parent from Rutland, discusses the capabilities and elasticity of a young mind.
Sarah, a State Representative from Tunbridge, discusses two crucial needs for Vermont families.
Kathleen, an Early Childhood Teacher from Cornwall, discusses what it looks like when kids engage in active learning.
Megan, a parent from East Thetford, describes how lucky her family is to get help paying for child care.
Alix, District Director of DCF from St. Albans, discusses how Vermont is doing taking care of its children.
Janean, a parent from North Bennington, talks about the struggles with finding a child care situation that met the needs of her family.
Pamela, a parent from Wallingford, discusses the difficulting of coordinating services for her foster children.
Caroline, President of the National Bank of Middlebury, talks about the child care challenges of a rural state.
Dan, Manager and Co-Owner of Dan and Whit's Country Store in Norwich, talks about his connections to education and business.
Katie, a parent from Orleans, talks about struggles of balancing child care with other bills.
Brooke, a parent from Danville, describes the process of finding child care for her four children.
Crystal, a parent from Berlin, discusses the benefits of quality care for her daughter and her struggle to find infant care.
Kathy, a Financial Coordinator for a Family Center, discusses the financial struggles of child care providers .
Deidre, an Early Childhood Services Manager from Montpelier, talks about the importance of a well trained workforce.
Melanie, a Family Center Nurse from Weybridge, discusses her hopes for young children.
Jack, a Pediatrician from Middlebury, explains that prevention is less expensive than intervention.
Jack, a Pediatrician from Middlebury, talks about the growing need for child services.
Matt, a parent from Bakersfield, talks about how much his family has paid for two children in child care.
Let’s Grow Kids (LGK) has announced the second round of its Make Way for Kids projects. Make Way for Kids—launched in 2018 with the support of donors in Vermont and nationwide—provides grants and technical assistance to child care programs to help increase the availability and quality of early care and…
When Noelle Cleveland enrolled at San José State University in California in 2008, she knew she wanted to work with young children one day. She thought she might become an elementary school teacher. But as part of her coursework, she volunteered in a preschool and, as she tells it, "instantly fell in…
MONTPELIER, Vt. — They're calling it a child care crisis.
Parents and teachers with advocacy group 'let's grow kids' took to Vermont's state House steps, calling for more affordable child care.
Click here to watch the video story on the NBC5 website.
The organization's CEO, Aly Richards, is still…
Editor’s note: This commentary is by Mark K. Shriver, who is the CEO of Save the Children Action Network.
All too often, divided control of government can be a recipe for increased partisanship and gridlock, especially when elected leaders place ambition and acrimony over actual results. One notable…
A new report by the non-profit organization Building Bright Futures suggests that Vermont parents are making tough choices when it comes to child care: basing their work hours on child care availability, cobbling together different child care arrangements and trying to stretch dollars to pay for care.
None…
The city is now accepting applications for a scholarship program that will help families access childcare for young children.
Based off a program in Minneapolis, Burlington Early Learning Initiative’s “First Steps Scholarship Program” will provide 20 Burlington families with a scholarship for children…
WEST BURKE, Vt. (WCAX) Solving a child care crunch. Vermont has 564 licensed home child care providers but that is down nearly 27 percent since 2015. Those child care spots are especially critical in rural areas of the state. And they are, on average, cheaper than child care centers.
Our Cat Viglienzoni…
Editor’s note: This commentary is by Meg Seely, of Bridgewater, who is the chair of the Vermont Community Foundation and a longtime early childhood professional.
Last week I listened to the CEO of the Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), an international organization that is building bipartisan political…
Jennifer Garner visited a Burlington preschool Thursday to speak on the importance of early childhood programs — and to kick off the kids' story time with "Llama Llama Misses Mama."
The actress voices "Mama Llama" in the animated Netflix series based on the book.
Gov. Phil Scott followed the "Alias"…
GEORGIA — A new bill aimed at tackling the childcare crisis, could expand the state’s childcare assistance program, while providing student loan and tax support for educators in the field.
House Bill 194 was introduced in the Vermont statehouse on Friday, and has the support of 70 cosponsors including…
Tripartisan legislation would expand access to affordable, high-quality child care
Montpelier, Vermont — A tripartisan bill aimed at increasing Vermonters’ access to affordable, high-quality child care was announced by legislative sponsors at a State House press conference on January 29, 2019.
The…
High-quality child care in Vermont can be tough to find and tougher to afford. And elected officials from the governor on down seem to agree that this is a serious problem for the state. So what's being done to address the issue? We're looking at the state of child care in Vermont. And going through…
A new report from the Joint Fiscal Office shows the availability of child care and pre-kindergarten in Vermont is declining.
Released in November, the “Child Care and Pre-Kindergarten Capacity Baseline Report” compiled statewide and county data from December 2015 through June 2018, reporting a decline…
His film is designed to have broad appeal and address a universal issue, but Greg Jacobs had a pretty specific target viewer in his sights during the making of No Small Matter.
“The audience we have in mind is the guy who’s always the first or second poster in the online comments, who says, ‘It’s called…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
This meeting has been postponed. Please stay tuned for updates. And be well!
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once…
As more and more Vermonters decide to take action for early childhood, volunteers in every region of the state are rising to leadership roles within their communities and organizing for change. This Action Team will meet once a month to determine strategic action steps to keep the movement for high-quality,…
This summer, we saw two studies about Vermont that appeared in contrast: One rated Vermont as one of the best places to live. The other paints Vermont as a hard place to find employees and run a business. As a business owner and employer, I know both are true, but I believe a crucial piece of the conversation…
Note from Let's Grow Kids: Vermont Birth to Five (VB5) is LGK's sister initiative. While LGK is engaged in advocacy to increase public investments in high-quality, affordable child care, VB5 is expanding the capacity and quality of the system we have today.
Burlington, Vermont — Vermont child…
Montpelier, Vermont – Despite record snowfall for the second year in a row, 150 early childhood advocates braved snowy roads to participate in Early Childhood Day at the Legislature (ECDL) on March 14. People from all over the state attended to ask the 65 participating legislators and administrators…
Hundreds turn out for the rally for Vermont's children, pressing lawmakers to fix high child care costs preventing some parents from entering the workforce
Click on the image above or click here to watch the video on NBC 5's website.
MONTPELIER — Child care advocates lobbied for more state investment in early care and learning Wednesday.
Child care professionals, legislators, parents, children and supporters packed into the Cedar Creek Room at the State House for the Rally for Kids on Early Childhood Day. The gathering was held…
Marybeth Christie Redmond of the Vermont Commission on Women has been working for the past 15 years with a Burlington woman who is a refugee and single mother of five.
During that time, she said, she has watched this woman work tirelessly to make ends meet and take care of her children. Redmond said…
Report looks at child care, the economy and gender equity in Vermont
Ensuring Vermont has enough high-quality, affordable child care is essential to supporting gender equality in the workplace, according to a new report co-authored by Let’s Grow Kids (LGK) and the Vermont Commission on Women (VCW).…
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) Is there a need to level the playing field for working women? A new report from Let's Grow Kids and the Vermont Commission on Women suggests on this International Women's Day that women in Vermont need more support when it comes to child care to truly be on a path to equity.
Let's…
WINDHAM COUNTY — Clare Barboza feels lucky to have found child care for her 4-year-old son.
"When we first arrived in Vermont, we found a temporary child-care situation," Barboza told the Reformer. "My son wasn't in preschool yet but we needed something. Then they sort of pulled the rug out from…
Mark Zammuto and his wife, Shayla, moved from Burlington to Colchester last year, just one day after their son was born. It was a hectic week, he said with a laugh, but worth the chaos.
“Colchester is awesome. The people, the schools, the recreation. It’s got everything you could want,” Zammuto said.…
Republican Gov. Phil Scott and top Democratic lawmakers have spent much of the 2018 legislative session characterizing themselves as allies and protectors of Vermont's working families. But none has put forward a plan to address a $9.2 million funding shortfall in the state's childcare system — which…
Reporter Alexandra Montgomery interviewed Let's Grow Kids' (LGK) Campaign Director Robyn Freedner-Maguire on WCAX's "You Can Quote Me" program on February 18, 2018.
Alexandra and Robyn discussed LGK's 2018 Stalled at the Start report outlining Vermont's critical shortage of high-quality, affordable child…
It was heartening to hear Governor Scott announce a new program to attract young people to live and work in Vermont during his January 23 budget address. Employers and business leaders across the state will tell you that strengthening Vermont’s economy depends upon reversing current demographic trends…
A new program aims to address Vermont's childcare shortage by helping to create 500 new high-quality childcare spaces in the state each year. Make Way for Kids is a project of Vermont Birth to Five, an organization focused on addressing gaps in childcare and supporting childcare providers. The quality…
Policymakers and Vermonters of all political persuasions are worried about the economic impacts of Vermont's aging population and shrinking workforce. Our working-age population — the vital group that acts as our economic engine — keeps declining. Meanwhile, baby boomers will soon be aging out of the…
Last week, Building Bright Futures released a report looking into how Vermont young children and families are doing.
The nonprofit, which serves as the designated Early Childhood Advisory Council to the governor and Vermont legislators, said on the whole, the kids are all right — Vermont leads the…
The 2017 "How are Vermont’s Young Children and Families?" report paints a mixed picture in terms of economic well-being, access to services and a range of health indicators.
The report also underscores the impact of parental substance abuse in reported instances of child abuse and neglect and in the…
Note: This media statement was written by Let's Grow Kids Campaign Director Robyn Freedner-Maguire in response to Governor Phil Scott's 2018 State of the State address.
If we want to make Vermont the top choice of young workers looking for the best place to work and raise their families, increasing…
Burlington will start committing a half million dollars per year to promote expanding early education programs, helping to alleviate a dire shortage of care and education space for young children in the city.
In early 2015, Mayor Miro Weinberger’s office put out a report that showed, among other issues,…
I believe all children deserve a strong start and that includes spending time with a caring adult who loves and supports them. Child care providers fulfill this role for many of Vermont’s children when their parents or caregivers are at work.
I’m a child care teacher. I use the word teacher on purpose.…
Editor’s note: This commentary is by Con Hogan, of Plainfield, who is on the board of the Permanent Fund for Vermont's Children and is a former member of the Green Mountain Care Board. He was secretary of the Vermont Agency of Human Services from 1991 to 1999.
Vermont is facing some very daunting…
Early childhood educators recognized the work of a 30-year veteran at their annual retreat Thursday in Killington. Cheryl “Cookie” Danyow (pictured above on the left), who runs a preschool program out of her home in Addison, was named Vermont’s Early Educator of the Year.
“Working with children has…
MIDDLEBURY — Child advocacy groups estimate that more than 79 percent of Vermont’s infants and toddlers likely to need child care don’t have access to programs considered to be high quality. For Addison County, the estimate is 88 percent for infants, 64 percent for toddlers.
“We don’t have enough…
Editor’s note: This commentary is by Chloe Learey, the executive director of Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development in Brattleboro. She serves on the Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council, a governor-appointed body which advises the Administration and Legislature on early childhood…
Caped youngsters and oldsters mustered by the hundreds Sunday morning in downtown Burlington to champion more public and private investment in early childhood daycare and education.
Toting megaphones, tambourines and signs, the throng flash-mobbed Church Street and joined soul diva Kat Wright in singing…
Burlington, Vt. - More than 1,000 people flocked to Church Street to sing, dance and advocate for the future of Vermont's children.
"Let's Grow Kids" was the message in Burlington Sunday morning as people from all over the state came to raise awareness about what they consider to be Vermont's critical…
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) Hundreds hit Church Street to raise awareness about the shortage of Vermont childcare.
Let's Grow Kids is a campaign dedicated to the importance of childcare and the impact it has on development. To promote its message, organizers held a parade which ended at the top of Church…
Kat Wright and Chris Dorman, aka Mister Chris, co-wrote the anthem "Something Beautiful" which will be performed live at Kids Out Loud! on Sunday, October 1st on Burlington's Church Street Marketplace. In the interview above, Kat talks with Point FM Morning Show Host Zeb Norris about writing the anthem…
BURLINGTON, Vt. - Sports Director Erin Cofiell learns the words and choreography for a new children's anthem from the folks at Let's Grow Kids. The anthem will be performed as a flash mob on Church Street Sunday, October 1st as part of their Kids Out Loud! event, that also features a parade and concert.
Click…
One half of all Americans and nearly 40 percent of Vermonters live in communities without any child care or with so few providers there aren’t enough slots, according to a Center for American Progress report released last week.
“We want to change the data. We want the deserts to shrink,” said Robyn…
Mandi Menard, co-owner of KinderStart Preschool in Williston, was recognized last week as an “Early Childhood Superhero” by Let’s Grow Kids, an initiative of the Permanent Fund for Vermont’s Children that advocates for high-quality, affordable child care.
Menard is the program director and lead preschool…
Vermont is fortunate to have an established system of outpatient care for people who are recovering from opioid addiction. In fact, our state’s Hub and Spoke system has been nationally recognized as a model for other states struggling with the current opioid epidemic. Hub and Spoke has been in place…
BRATTLEBORO — About a year-and-a-half ago, Jessica Greene was running a maternal support group when a mother approached her with a problem: She couldn't find proper childcare while undergoing addiction treatment.
"It just seemed like it was a need that nobody had been aware of," recalled Greene, who…
First-time mom Janet An is taking a break from her law career to raise 5-month-old Ellie and says the cost of day care or a nanny will be a factor when she returns.
"If the cost of child care is going to eat up my entire salary then it might make more sense for me to just continue to stay home with…
Family defines Milton daycare provider Laura Butler’s work. Her clients span generations; high-schoolers she cared for now volunteer alongside her and the kids at her center call her husband “Papa.”
Almost a quarter of a century after Butler began molding the minds of Milton’s young ones, the National…
As the mother of three young children, a business owner and a board member of an early learning center, I'm very aware of how important it is to invest in our children long before they enter the public school system.
In the first few years, a baby's brain is forming more than one million connections…
LYNDON CENTER — The innovative Lyndon State College hybrid Early Childhood Education program is addressing a demand for licensed Vermont educators and helping teachers meet new requirements to keep their jobs.
The program, launched last fall, was developed to allow students with an associate’s degree…
Editor’s note: This commentary is by Chloe Learey, the executive director of Winston Prouty Center for Child and Family Development in Brattleboro. She served on the Blue Ribbon Commission on Financing High-Quality, Affordable Child Care. You can learn more by visiting winstonprouty.org.
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