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Events & Announcements

Early Childhood Day at the Legislature

Learn more about and register for this event on Wednesday, March 14th...more

Campaign 180

Join a statewide effort to talk to all 180 legislators and Vermont's members of Congress about quality in November....more

Campaign 180 Activities

Use our interactive map of Vermont to learn about activities in your region and find local contact information....more

Early Childhood Video:

Watch this short child development video and volunteer to show it at a meeting in your community...more

Quality Matters Toolkit

Find a toolkit of written materials on the issue of quality early care and education that can be useful in learning more about the Quality Matters Campaign, planning events and talking to legislators and community leaders about the importance of quality....more

Pie and Policy at the State House, September 13, 2008

"I have always wanted to go into the State House. My kids have always asked me, "What is that golden dome?" This event gave us the perfect opportunity." - Inga, mother to Matise and Dominec (ages 6), from Shelburne

"I believe that all kids should be happy, because when kids are happy, they do better in school. I think we should pass this bill because ice cream makes kids happy." - Madelyn Koff (age 8) from Quechee, gives witness testimony on the mock bill, "An Act Requiring All Vermont Kids to Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast."

"I attended with a friend and her toddler - he loved the barn animals and wooden tractors…and sitting in the representative seats…all of them! -Tracy Ferrell from Montpelier

85 parents and children from all corners of the state - including Brattleboro, Newport, St Albans and Middlebury - gathered at the State House on September 13th for an Open House co-hosted by the Kids Are Priority One Coalition and Building Bright Futures to learn how our government works to have fun under Montpelier's golden dome.

Audience participation and the creativity and knowledge of guest facilitators made the day a success. Participants traipsed through the building (using a "time machine") moving a piece of legislation from an idea to law, learning about the process from Representative Floyd Nease, Legislative Counsel Brian Leven and First Assistant Clerk to the House Bill MaGill.

Children added "ingredients" to a budget "pie" under the direction of Deputy Commissioner of Finance Sue Zeller. Then, as waiters, they served up slices to constituents only to learn that there is not enough "pie" to meet the needs of Vermont's families. Ending on a happy note, everyone enjoyed a slice of the real thing donated by Vermont Mystic Pie Company.

Over a pile of Legos, Sunday Editor of the Times Argus Anne Galloway described ways the media can be a vehicle for sharing experiences and elevating issues. And, down the hall, filmmaker Jill Sudhoff-Geurin was behind the camera, taping parents' stories.

And for many, that was not enough excitement! During the afternoon tour of the building with Florence as their guide, kids were rewarded with a chance to sit at the Governor's desk in the Ceremonial Office. Now, don't tell me that they didn't bring that to show and tell!

Thanks to all who participated in the day!

Sincerely, The planning committee (Kelly Ault, Cynthia Greene, Cynthia Tarail, Michele Mahaney, Heather Mattison, Moriah Oldham, Robin Stromgren, Andrea Stander, Melissa Riegel-Garrett)