April is the Month of the Young Child in Windham County. It is a wonderful opportunity to both celebrate early childhood and to honor the tireless efforts of child care providers who dedicate their lives to educating the next generation.
Broader awareness about the importance of the experiences a child has in their early years has led to successful initiatives to support public investment in services for young children and their families, including early education.
There is also much greater awareness about the important role early education/child care plays in the lives of those of us who do not have small children.
This is partially due to the fact that child care programs and schools were shuttered during the pandemic and people were not able to work. A day without child care became weeks and months, highlighting how integral it is to economic activity in our community.
Vermont Department for Children and Families Commissioner Sean Brown testified before the House Human Services and Education Committees on Friday, Jan. 29 about the proposal from Gov. Phil Scott's administration to move child development activities from one division to other departments and agencies based on the areas of expertise.
Finding a solution for the seasonal overflow shelter for the upcoming winter season is a relief for many in the community. The overflow shelter primarily provides a warm place for those who have nowhere to go during the coldest months. In our community, we do not let our fellow...
We deeply thank Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee for the donation of a 40-foot metal storage container to the Winston Prouty Center. We are so grateful to have this storage available to handle the large amount of inventory that came with our purchase of the former Austine campus. We are now able to move forward with plans to renovate and lease space, which is a critical part of making the campus viable. This donation is making that possible, and we appreciate...
Much attention has been given recently to the importance of the early years of a child's life. Many articles have cited statistics: 80 percent of a child's brain is developed by age 3 and 90 percent by age 5. Optimal brain development leads to children being more prepared for school and work and having better mental and physical health, even as an adult. Research demonstrates a 7-to-10-percent return on investment for every dollar spent. This fact helps to explain the...