The Power of Early Investment highlights how community-supported funding like Ready by Five strengthens families and expands access to critical early childhood services. By investing early, we prevent challenges from growing and ensure children have the support they need during their most important developmental years.
The Power of Early Care & Education celebrates the early educators and child care providers who build strong foundations for lifelong learning. High-quality early care supports children’s development, helps families thrive, and powers a stronger workforce and community.
The Power of Early Systems focuses on building coordinated, equitable systems that make it easier for families to access support. By aligning partners, strengthening collaboration, and improving how services work together, we create lasting impact beyond any single program.
Strong families, strong systems, and strong communities all begin with the Power of Early.
Investing early in children and families creates lasting impact for everyone.
Explore The Power of Early in Action
At First Steps Kent, our work is organized into three core focus areas: Early Investment, Early Care & Education, and Early Systems. These represent the ways we strengthen children, families, and the community through the Power of Early.
The Power of Early Investment focuses on expanding access to services through community-supported funding like the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage.
The Power of Early Care and Education supports and elevates the professionals who build strong foundations for children every day.
The Power of Early Systems strengthens collaboration and coordination so families can more easily access the support they need.
Together, these three areas ensure that early childhood efforts in Kent County are funded, delivered, and aligned for lasting impact.
The Power of Early comes to life through focused campaigns that highlight different parts of our early childhood system. Each initiative shares stories, tools, and ways to get involved — all rooted in one belief: strong communities begin early.
- Early Literacy
- Early Play
- Early Care & Education
The Power of Early Literacy
Early literacy builds the foundation for lifelong learning. From shared reading and language-rich environments to inclusive literacy supports, this campaign highlights how early exposure to books, conversation, and storytelling shapes brain development and school readiness.
Get Involved:
Share a story about reading or language growth
Highlight literacy efforts in your program
Use our literacy messaging toolkit in your communications