IMPACT AREA
EARLY
LEARNING
Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of children and their families, building a stronger, more literate community for all.
SHAPING FUTURES FROM THE START
At Greater Gallatin United Way, we are unwavering in our belief that early learning is the cornerstone of lifelong success. We are dedicated to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive by offering essential early learning programs that pave the way for future achievements from the very beginning.
90% OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
occurs before the age of five, making these early years critical for building a strong foundation for the future.
75% OF CHILDREN
who start kindergarten behind never catch up to their peers, underscoring the need for timely intervention.
51% OF FOURTH-GRADERS
in our community are not proficient in reading
Child Connect brings families, child care providers, and employers together in one place to strengthen our region’s child care system. The first step is launching Kinside, a platform that makes it easier than ever for families to search for licensed child care and for providers to fill open spots.
CHILD CONNECT
The Big Sky Pre-K Summer Camp is designed to prepare children for kindergarten. Through interactive learning and play, children gain the confidence and readiness needed for a successful start to their educational journey.
PRE-K SUMMER CAMP
GGUW is the local partner for the Imagination Library in Park and Gallatin Counties, providing free monthly books to children to foster a love of reading and improve early literacy.
DOLLY PARTON'S
IMAGINATION LIBRARY
GGUW collaborates with 12 local schools on early learning initiatives, including providing Bozeman Reads scholarships, to promote early literacy and prepare children for academic success.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
GGUW tackles early learning challenges with impactful programs that lay the foundation for lifelong success. By providing tools and resources through initiatives like the Imagination Library, Bozeman Reads, and school partnerships, we foster a love of learning and prepare every child for academic and social success.
OUR EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS
FOSTERING A LOVE FOR LEARNING
IMPACTFUL OUTCOMES
Our efforts in early learning are making a significant difference on young children, their families and our community.
30,090
2,581
$10,400
COMING TOGETHER
EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS
At Greater Gallatin United Way, we understand that early learning is the foundation of lifelong success. That’s why we are committed to enhancing early childhood education and care through strategic partnerships, community collaboration, and impactful programs.
CHILD TASK FORCE
The CHILD Task Force brings together experts from diverse fields to develop and implement innovative solutions that enhance the child care landscape in Gallatin County and the surrounding areas.
EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The ECCC brings together leadership and front-line staff across various sectors to improve communication and take action on shared early childhood goals. Through this collaboration, we aim to foster a community that supports early learning and ensures children enter kindergarten ready to succeed.
BIG SKY EARLY CHILDHOOD ALLIANCE
The Big Sky Early Childhood Alliance is a three-year initiative aimed at solving challenges pertaining to the affordability and availability of childcare in the Big Sky community.
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The summer kidsLINK program was an absolute gift for our family.
For working parents of young children, there is a balance to strike between simply needing childcare during working hours and finding quality, wholesome programming. kidsLINK checked both boxes for our family. Our 4-year-old was excited to go to camp each day and often was in care from 8:30am-5pm while we were at work. In addition to getting all of his energy out in a safe and fun environment, the camp helped prepare him for entering 4K as they practiced circle time and various school prep activities. This morning, our son marched off into his first day of preschool with confidence and a huge smile on his face. I believe kidsLINK made a big difference in his readiness to start school, and it sure made a difference for our family.”
— kidsLINK Parent
ADVOCATE FOR EARLY LEARNING
Connect with Policymakers
Educate yourself
Share your story!
Tell your friends, employers, co-workers, and family members what makes you passionate about improving the quality, accessibility, and affordability of child care. Writing an opinion piece is an effective way to share your knowledge with policymakers and your community. Use this template from NAEYC to help build your letter.
Keep up with early childhood issues
Expand your public policy knowledge and build your advocacy skills with the resources below.
Montana Advocates for Children
NAEYC- National Association for the Education of Young Children
SPONSOR A CHILD
Help us continue to provide these vital resources to our community’s youngest members. For just $25, you can sponsor a child for an entire year of free books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Your support will help ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed from the start.
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