Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1461153
What does that mean? Great question! We are glad you asked! There are many ingredients that go into laying the foundation for a successful future – it begins before birth with good neonatal care and continues after birth with supportive caring relationships with families, caregivers, and the community! Along with those ingredients like nutritious meals, safe homes, and positive environments, it takes a family supported by a village to lay the groundwork for a child's potential. Young children acquire social and emotional skills, foundational knowledge, and the dispositions necessary for success in school and beyond through nurturing relationships, early experiences, and a ton of play! Parents are children's first and most important teachers! • 80% of a child's brain is fully developed by age 3 and 90% by age 5. However, this doesn't mean children are ready to do your taxes – they need to continue to build the neural connections that will support their potential long into the future. Family Connections is part of Montana's Child Care Resource and Referral network (Raise Montana), and we are dedicated to supporting families, early childhood professionals, and the community by being the go-to agency for high quality early care and education. FAMILIES Is your family looking for high quality early care and education for your young children? Give our referral specialists a call today. We can help you find the perfect fit for you and your child. Why choose licensed care and education? • Children stay safe with staff who have been background screened and trained. • Children who receive support in the form of early care are more likely to enter school on track with their peers. • Children are more likely to graduate from high school, have more job opportunities, and higher earnings. Are you working or going to school and need help paying for quality early care and education for your young children? Let us help! Family Connections connects families to the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship program to help pay for licensed early care and education programs. EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS Did you discover hidden talents and a passion for working with young children during the last couple of years? Thinking about a career change to spend more time with your own children? Let us help you open your own early care and education business. Our professional development specialists are here to help you navigate the process, share resources, and provide ongoing support for your success. • Discover grants and financial incentives to support your growing business. • Achieve individual goals through classroom training, onsite coaching, and mentoring. • Market your business to families searching for quality early care and education program. BUSINESS OWNERS Are you a business owner looking to support your employees and make an impact in your community? Businesses can play a promising role in lifting the importance of early brain development, and to help, Family Connections offers and encourages businesses to use the app or online platform Vroom. ® 34 Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce www.greatfallschamber.org Family Connections Believes Every Child Deserves a Successful Future Vroom ® , a global program, makes it is easy to support and engage families around children's learning and development. Vroom ® has created easy-to-use, brain building tips that supports children's developing brains and fits into families' busy schedules. Vroom Tips ™ are simple to share with employees of families patronizing your business. Be a part of a larger effort to provide early learning and help families and their children thrive. For more information and FREE brain-building resources, contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency and visit www.vroom.org.