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Events & Announcements

Early Childhood Day at the Legislature

Learn more about and register for this event on Wednesday, March 14th...more

Campaign 180

Join a statewide effort to talk to all 180 legislators and Vermont's members of Congress about quality in November....more

Campaign 180 Activities

Use our interactive map of Vermont to learn about activities in your region and find local contact information....more

Early Childhood Video:

Watch this short child development video and volunteer to show it at a meeting in your community...more

Quality Matters Toolkit

Find a toolkit of written materials on the issue of quality early care and education that can be useful in learning more about the Quality Matters Campaign, planning events and talking to legislators and community leaders about the importance of quality....more

Early Childhood Day at The Legislature 2010

Participants gathered in the House Gallery to hear the adoption of an early childhood resolution that recognized the importance of the early years and the valuable work of parents and the early care and education workforce.

After appreciative comments from Representative Bill Frank from Underhill, legislators gave a round of applause to participants of Early Childhood Day at the Legislature.

Lisa Ventriss from the Vermont Business Roundtable talks with attendees at a work session titled, "Crisp Messaging for Legislators."

"I learned about the importance of looking at early childhood as a comprehensive system and supporting Building Bright Futures as Vermont's early childhood system."

"I loved telling the stories...connecting with and hearing from other professionals."

"I left [Early Childhood Day] wanting to continue to learn how we can all work together to better serve the needs of the children and our state."

- Participants of 2010 Early Childhood Day at the Legislature

Rewarding Experiences at Early Childhood Day at the Legislature

On Wednesday, March 17th, record breaking numbers of parent, early childhood educators, employers and legislators filled the Capitol Plaza Hotel as part of this year's Early Childhood Day at the Legislature. The 16th annual event - co- hosted by the Kids Are Priority One Coalition and Building Bright Futures - was a catalyst for learning and sharing experiences on early childhood policy priorities, especially the value of Building Bright Futures, Vermont's early childhood system. Highlights included:

Opening remarks from Representative Bill Frank and an inspiring keynote from Karen Ponder that laid the foundation for the talking about systems-building.
230 attendees participating in work sessions that shared stories from the field, refined messages on the value of systems-building and developed strategies for Building Bright Futures.
80 legislators sat with attendees to discuss Building Bright Futures and to hear appreciation for the maintenance of support for the child care subsidy program.
180 Walk in My Shoes Storybooks containing 55 personal, professional and workplace experiences from around the state were handed to legislators in the state house cafeteria and card room.
15 parents, providers, employers and professionals provided informative testimony in committees throughout the day and at a closing press conference.
5 children were cared for on-site by the Family Center of Washington County

Thank you to the individuals that played a critical organizing role in planning the event, as well as the facilitators, resource people and volunteers, who made the day so rewarding. Thank you to the event's funders (Nellie Mae Educational Foundation and the Child Development Division) and local business sponsor (Minuteman Press). Mostly, thank you to the early childhood community for your tireless dedication to providing children and families what they need to be successful. You are making a difference in ensuring the future prosperity of Vermont!

See a video of the day's events here!

Children's artwork, hand cut-outs from child care providers across the state, as well as homemade paper from the Spring Hill School, adorned the Walk in My Shoes Storybooks that were handed to legislators.

Karen Ponder, past president of the North Carolina Partnership for Children and ECDL keynote speaker, reminded the group to "include a diverse group of thinkers from all levels of early childhood" in creating a comprehensive systems plan.

James Austin, a parent from Alburgh, speaks about the importance of coordinated early intervention services in supporting the whole family at the closing press conference.