Early Childhood Development Work Progresses in Northfield

Since being selected late last fall by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation to participate in the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative, the community of Northfield has made some early progress in meeting the initiative's goals. Northfield is one of 36 communities participating in the statewide initiative to ensure that young children can receive the kind of care and education that will enable them to succeed in both school and life.

During the past months, Northfield residents have evaluated early child resources in the Northfield area in order to identify gaps and opportunities, and this information is now helping guide a community-based planning and implementation process to improve programs, systems, policies and funding centered on child development.

"Our mission in Northfield is to educate and activate the entire community on issues affecting young children from birth to five and we really appreciate this opportunity to work with Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation on this early childhood initiative," said local coordinator Amy Hamborg. "The way to reduce the achievement gap in our schools is to bridge the research on the importance of early learning with community-wide partnership efforts."

As a result of the community-based planning efforts, the Northfield-area coalition will increase the outreach activities and resources for families by including early childhood staff on the Northfield Public Library Booker bus; providing additional outreach services to home day cares in the Northfield area; implementing a new "Parents as Partners" program; and "blitzing" the community with resources and information on the need for quality early childhood education and care through the media and local businesses. "All of these efforts are focused on 'investing in early childhood' and building a strong future for all of our children," said Hamborg.

To learn more on how you can be involved in this community-based initiative or to have an early childhood educator contact you, contact Hannah Puczko, community education director, at 507/664-3652 or hannah.puczko@nfld.k12.mn.us. You can also contact Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation in Owatonna at 507/455-3215 or go to www.smifoundation.org.

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