Member Spotlight: Educational First Steps
This quarter, the Early Learning Alliance is spotlighting one of our member organizations, Educational First Steps (EFS). Founded with a mission to create and support high-quality early learning environments that ignite the minds of children from birth to age five, EFS has been a cornerstone in North Texas for providing quality early education. Their approach is unique and effective, focusing on empowering educators to create high-quality environments for young children.
EFS became a member of the Early Learning Alliance (ELA) in 2017, marking a fruitful collaboration. This was a significant period for EFS as they expanded their services into Tarrant County, bringing their mission to more communities in need. Continue reading as we highlight their journey, achievements, and partnership with us.
How does EFS promote early learning and help children get the strong foundation they need to succeed in school and life?
Jacqueline Adam-Taylor, Managing Director of Programs
EFS promotes early learning by partnering with community-based child care providers. We have an application process, and an MOU that allows us to support our partners at no cost to them. By providing the adults who serve and care for children a few critical resources, we impact our community by being a pillar of access and quality to families and childcare providers. Our strategy is twofold; we center our support on improving the competency and capacity of adults to ensure children get the absolute best care and services available. Our technical assistance supports with adding capacity as we directly work with Child Care Directors/Owners on maintaining compliance and quality, and our competency building comes in the form of a high-quality, robust, training academy coupled with early childhood coaching support provided to teachers in the classrooms. All our work is in service to improving the quality and access to quality in our identified zip codes and with our partners.
Below is a list of how we support our partner providers:
Professional Development Training
CPR and First Aid Certification.
Annual Early Childhood Education Conference
In-House Assessment Data Tool
Quality Coaching
Childcare Solutions-Oriented Pilots
Community Outreach
What is your favorite thing about EFS?
Jacqueline Adam-Taylor, Managing Director of Programs
It's a tie between our mission and the team. Our mission at EFS, Educational First Steps (EFS) creates and supports high-quality early learning environments that ignite the minds of children from birth to age five, which is such an audacious and equity-based mission, who could not love to do this work daily? Then our team, as a unit, makes me smile every day and jump out of bed to do this hard work together. We share core values of joy, trust, collaboration, growth, and equity in everything we do. I love the opportunity to work with the team to continuously serve our communities and to work side by side to increase quality in our early childhood environments to accelerate school readiness and increase our children's future outcomes that will have a lasting impact for generations to come.
Where are your hopes for the future of early childhood education?
CeCe Cheatham, Kamikka Hughes, & Sheila Matlock – Quality Managers
LaWanda Rather, Community Partnerships Manager
The early years are a critical window for a child's development. It's during this time that they build the foundation for everything that comes next, from academic success to social-emotional well-being. That's why I'm passionate about shaping a future for early childhood education (ECE) that's equitable, high-quality, and supportive of all children.
Our hope for the future of early childhood education is a world where:
Every child has access to high-quality education, regardless of their background.
ECE educators are valued, empowered, and equipped to provide exceptional care and education.
We go beyond academics and apply a holistic approach that addresses a child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being.
Families are active partners and are empowered as their children’s first teacher.
Communities rally around their youngest learners.
Learning environments are inclusive and diverse; places where every child feels valued, seen, and has a sense of belonging.
Innovation and research are supported, sought after, and seen as solutions to our current challenges.
Advocacy for supportive policies is crucial for making this a reality.
Another hope for the future of early childhood education is centered on fostering more collaboration, integration, and broader impact. One key area is creating stronger community partnerships by developing deeper, more meaningful collaborations between early childhood centers and local organizations, businesses, and institutions. Encouraging local businesses to support early childhood initiatives through funding, volunteer programs, or family-friendly policies for their employees can significantly enhance the resources and support available to young learners. Additionally, cross-sector collaboration is essential, bringing together diverse stakeholders such as healthcare providers, social services, libraries, and museums to create comprehensive early childhood development strategies that address all aspects of a child's growth. Which is why organizations like ELA are so important.
How did EFS become involved with ELA?
Vickie Allen-Brown, President & CEO
We became involved with ELA in 2017 during the expansion of EFS services into Tarrant County. We recognized that being part of a collaborative group would be beneficial in our expansion efforts because ECE is built on collaboration, teamwork, and mutual commitment to shared goals; this fact made ELA the perfect partner for us.
How does ELA advance your organization’s mission?
Dominique McCain, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer
Educational First Steps’ mission is to create and support high quality early learning environments that ignite the minds of children birth to age five. This pairs well with ELA’s mission to ensure Kindergarten readiness for all children in Tarrant County through a cross-sector collaboration committed to thriving children. Without high quality early learning environments, Kindergarten readiness is very unlikely, therefore our missions are interdependent.
Why do you think ELA is an asset to the community?
Dominique McCain, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer
The Early Childhood Education ecosystem is anchored in the concept “It takes a village to raise a child.” That said, ELA is an asset because with their intentional approach, the Alliance brings together child-serving organizations, philanthropic leaders, public officials, educators, businesses, researchers, parents, and caregivers to support Tarrant County families. This model is an asset to the community as it has the potential to get to solutions more quickly and with a more comprehensive approach to resolve challenges facing our community.
Do you have any upcoming events?
Annual Fundraising Gala and Early Childhood Champion Award- Tuesday, February 18, 2025
EFS Annual Early Childhood Conference- Spring of 2025
Education First Steps is Always Looking to Build Our Volunteer Pool!
By volunteering, you can play a vital role in supporting early childhood education and making a positive impact on the lives of young children in our community. Whether you have a few hours a week or can commit to a longer-term project, there are many ways you can contribute.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete the EFS volunteer application. For more information or specific inquiries, you can contact LaWanda Rather, our Community Partner Manager at lrather@educationalfirststeps.org. Your support and dedication can help us create a stronger foundation for early childhood education and foster a brighter future for our children. Join us today and be a part of something truly meaningful!
As we look to the future, we are excited to continue our partnership with Educational First Steps. Their unwavering commitment to early childhood education furthers ELA’s mission, and together, we can create even more opportunities for the children and families we serve.
To learn even more about our partnership with Educational First Steps, we invite you to our upcoming Happy Hour Social event on Thursday, August 29 in Hurst, TX. Click here to register!
