Addison County Celebrates and Advocates for Young Children and Play

The Addison County Directors Network (ACDN) is a network of about 15 early care and learning program directors and 5 early childhood partner organizations. ACDN mission is 3-pronged- 1) to support our work as administrator and director of our individual programs, 2) to work within our community to support the work of each other as early educators, 3) to support knowledge of early education in our communities- both locally and at the state level.

In the past we have meant number 3 by hosting a yearly early childhood education forum with local state legislators. We have written op-eds in the local paper highlighting the importance of the early years and we have celebrated throughout the county the Week of the Young Child, by hosting art exhibits in local libraries and businesses. In 2023 we are looking to continue some of this work as well as build on it.

Currently in Vermont there is historic state legislation being crafted to support early care and learning programs and the families who access these programs. On April 12, a Courage to Care Rally was held at our statehouse. Leading up to the rally ACDN worked with the local newspaper to include a special Early Childhood insert in the paper. The insert included articles on the following topics: The Importance of Play, Legislative Update (highlighting the rally and other ways families can advocate), Learning in the Great Outdoors, Play-based Learning, and more.


During the Week of the Young Child, we also organized and hosted events throughout the county. We sponsored 7 local library story hours, where materials about early childhood education were present for families to take, as well as fliers advertising the Courage to Care Rally that was held on April 12 at the Vermont Statehouse.  We hosted 4 events for children and their families, free kid meals at Mad Taco, free fruit at Middlebury Natural Food Co-Op, $1 slice pizza from Rocker’s Pizzeria, and $1 “creemees” from Lulu’s Ice Cream.


The funds from DEY’s Mini Grant were used to support the newspaper insert, covering printing costs $500.

Our goal and desired outcome was to bring awareness to the larger population about the importance of the early years, why play matters, and how everyone can have a voice in lifting up the youngest most vulnerable citizens.

Attached is the special insert, “Celebrating Our Children“, we created in collaboration with the local newspaper, The Addison Independent.  The Addison Independent has around 1000 subscription holders.  Extra copies will be dispersed to local doctor offices and support agencies. 

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small child smiling and peering through the center of a cardboard sun

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