First Years First
In the Community Foundation’s estimation, there is perhaps no more significant challenge facing our communities than ensuring that our children are equipped to lead healthy, productive lives. That’s why, as part of its role as a proactive community partner in shaping 
our future – a catalyst for change – the Community Foundation created First Years First, a $1 million commitment to prepare the children of Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington for success in school and in life by enhancing their early childhood development experience.
Research shows that the first five years of life are critical in putting our children on the path to success. Children who have a healthy early childhood development experience prior to kindergarten are more likely to perform at a higher academic level and become more productive members of society.
The Foundation wants to ensure that children in its four-town service area are afforded the advantages and opportunities that come with a healthy start. The Foundation’s commitment 
in this arena is already paying dividends through the efforts of the New Britain Discovery Collaborative. The Foundation is proud to be the lead agency for this program, in partnership with the United Way of New Britain & Berlin and the American Savings Foundation & New Britain. The Foundation is also leading a similar effort, the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington, with the support of the United Way of Southington and the Southingon-Cheshire Community YMCA. These programs, which have also received significant financial support from the prestigious William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, bring local schools, parents, early childhood education providers and day care centers together to collaborate on ways to make high-quality early childhood education a priority, improve programming and increase enrollments.
In addition, the Community Foundation has established a collaboration with Tunxis Community College’s Early Childhood Education Program. Together, we created the Early Childhood Professional Educators' Consortium, which aims to give area providers the heretofore nonexistent opportunity to network and share ideas; develop curriculums to improve and standardize the early childhood development experience at area centers; and provide professional development so that centers may achieve accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
For more information about the New Britain Discovery Collaborative, contact Merrill Gay, Executive Director, at 860.229.6018 x309. For more information about the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington, call 860.628.3286. For more information about First Years First and the Early Childhood Professional Educators' Consortium, contact Joeline Wruck at 860.229.6018 x307.
Click here to read more about First Years First and how this landmark initiative is making a difference in young children's lives.