Collaborative for Early Learning launches in Driggs
Hope for families with young kids through age 5
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The Education Foundation of Teton Valley announced this week the formation of a community Collaborative for Early Learning. The Collaborative will bring stakeholders together to improve access and affordability to quality care and early education for children ages birth-through-five in Teton County, Idaho.
The Collaborative for Early Learning was created because many Teton Valley families are struggling to find childcare and being forced to choose between paying the bills and putting food on the table and having a safe, nurturing place to care for their children while they work.
Teton County, Idaho is currently classified as a childcare desert, meaning there are more families seeking childcare than available spaces. In recent years, options have been closing at an alarming rate, and the last remaining licensed childcare center for children under the age of three could soon close their doors due to lack of space.
Kristin Livingstone, executive director of the Education Foundation of Teton Valley noted, “We have an incredible community with robust support systems. Together, we can make a plan that supports the families and childcare providers in our valley.”
The Collaborative is a result of many coming together including representatives from the Education Foundation of Teton Valley, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, Spark Foundation, Community Foundation of Teton Valley, County Commissioner Mike Whitfield, Driggs City Mayor August Christensen, TREC, Building Blocks Early Learning Center, Teton County School District, University of Idaho Extension, and ABC afterschool and summer program.
“Strong families are the bedrock of this valley,” added Martin Balben, project director at The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children. “It’ll take some work, but we have a chance to ensure that our kids have access to high-quality, affordable early learning opportunities, regardless of whether that is at home with parents, with a childcare provider, or in preschool. If we come together, the result will be direct returns for Teton Valley because when families have quality early learning options, outcomes are better.”
The Collaborative’s initial strategy is three-fold:
- First, contract a Project Manager to move the work of the Collaborative forward in the initial six months.
- Next, have the project manager conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of birth-5 systems in Teton County. This needs assessment will take into account any assessment data currently available and help determine a clear need and availability of childcare options in Teton County.
- Lastly, the Project Manager will develop a strategic plan that will define the action steps needed by the community to create a stable early learning system in Teton County.
