While there's been a recent national focus on early childhood issues -- including President Obama's call for preschool for all children -- Iowa has been actively working in this arena for decades. In 1989, Iowa recognized the importance of addressing the needs of children in child care while parents worked, and Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) was established. The agency refers parents to childcare services, trains and supports childcare employees and advocates for providers. CCR&R became a statewide system in 1992 and continues to evolve as needs and technology change.

Iowa was also concerned about the educational learning, mental and physical health, and special needs of young children and took action. Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) got its start in 1998 with legislation that created a partnership between communities and state government to improve the lives of families with young children. ECI stakeholders include agencies, organizations and community partners working together with the state of Iowa to support local efforts. ECI's vision: Every Child, Beginning at Birth, Will be Healthy and Successful.

The local aspect is key, said Jeff Anderson, facilitator for the Early Childhood Stakeholder Alliance/Advisory Council . "There is no one way to fix problems. Families may need different prongs to help them overcome challenges or succeed. Fixes may need both local and state funding and policies."

"We ask ourselves, what is the big picture and what can we do?" said Anderson. "And the more important thing is we work (on fixing issues) collectively -- all aiming at the same (goals.) We work together to make things move and we support each other."

Trista Peitzman  

Recently, Trista Peitzman was setting up a learning center at a Fairfield health center when a young patient wandered over to see what she was doing. As she showed the toddler the new books and bookcase provided by the Ready for School (RFS) initiative, he became eager to help her unpack. He soon got involved in exploring the new books and "reading." Peitzman praised his efforts to help her and encouraged him to enjoy the books.

After 17 years at Iowa Public Television (IPTV), Peitzman still gets excited about her work. "It's really refreshing to help kids on the ground and to help their parents and other adults (who work with them,)" she said. "I get to help teachers and kids across the state of Iowa."

Spring Break Activities

Iowa Children's Museum is hosting various camps over spring break.
Science Center of Iowa plans an out-of-this world spring break from March 11-21.
dsm4kids offers a variety of things to do while visiting Des Moines over spring break.
Also check out these museums for fun and adventure over spring break:

Q: How do you know that Ready for School resources improve children's literacy skills?

A: When low-income children in preschools across the country were exposed to a media-rich preschool curriculum (including programming and interactive games from PBS KIDS shows), they outscored children using control curriculum in all five early literacy measures studied, including naming letter and knowing sounds. And Kindergartners and their 4th/5th grade partners who participated in eight 45-minute sessions using Martha Speaks materials to guide them showed important vocabulary improvements.

Questions about Ready for School? Email them to mary.czech@iptv.org.

3/12/16  Shane -- Peg + Cat character event, Library Corner Launch -- Robey Memorial Library, Waukon
3/17/16  Trista -- Preschool Family Night -- Fairfield Head Start, Fairfield
3/17/16  Angela -- Family STEM Night -- Woodbine Elementary, Woodbine
3/18/16  Trista -- Fairfield Literacy Night, Dan Wardell storytime, Learning Center Launch -- Sondheim Center, Fairfield
3/24/16  Stacie -- Estherville Read Aloud Day -- Demoney Elementary, Estherville