Early Childhood Equity

The early years in a child’s development represent an unparalleled window of opportunity to create a foundation for lifelong health and success. This is the time when children’s social-emotional growth, brain architecture, physical health, and sense of belonging in the world are forming.

Research shows that quality early care and intervention fosters better social, emotional, academic, and professional outcomes for children. Similarly, access to reliable childcare enables parents to participate more fully in the workforce. But many children and families in West Marin are not accessing these opportunities, often because of prohibitive costs, a lack of information, or the absence of care services in the region.

West Marin Fund’s Early Childhood Equity initiative supports key partners to ensure that all families and children have access to these benefits.

Purpose

Elevating Early Childhood Opportunities

Increase access to affordable, high-quality pre-school to improve school readiness and early learning outcomes.
Improve the availability and quality of childcare services to ensure a strong foundation for lifelong development.
Increase access to early detection and intervention services for children with special needs.
Build parent knowledge and involvement in the care and education of very young children to better equip families with safe, nurturing, and enriching environments for their child’s development.
Foster collaboration among providers.

Grantmaking

Early Childhood Equity Grants

West Marin Fund is addressing early childhood inequities in West Marin through grants to local school districts, parent support groups, and other organizations that support early child education and quality childcare in both home-based and preschool settings. Early Childhood Equity Grants are by invitation only. If you would like to be considered for future grants, contact us to learn more.

See Grants Awarded

Research for Action

Infant and Toddler Community Project

West Marin Fund is conducting a community-focused study on infant and toddler care and development. The study is being guided by community members with young children living in West Marin and representatives of early childhood education organizations including First 5 Marin, Marin Promise Partnership, Community Action Marin, College of Marin, and Bodega Bay Pre School. The research includes interviews with families with children ages 0-3, formal childcare providers (preschools, day care), and informal caregivers (extended family and friends). These perspectives will inform the assessment of current challenges and proposed solutions.

Collaboration for Impact

Car Seats for Kids

We collaborate with key partners to enhance road safety for families with young children in West Marin through the provision of training in English and Spanish, the purchase and fitting of high quality and legally compliant car seats, and support for nonprofit staff to increase their services. Supported by the County of Marin’s Office of Equity.

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I think that being able to offer a full-time position will help us recruit an amazing new West Marin Playgroup Coordinator. I am so grateful to Marin First Five and West Marin Fund for your support and partnership.
Balandra FregosoParent Services Project

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It has been amazing for my son and I to feel like we are part of a bilingual learning community. I appreciate the kits and the Spanish language books and activities. The kits have allowed me to focus on connecting with him through following instruction and learning.
West Marin Parent

Photos by Lourdes Romo for Papermill Creek Childern's Corner, West Marin Fund.

Community Voices

Early Childhood Equity

Early Childhood Equity in West Marin (Video)

Learn more about West Marin Fund's investment in the children of the West Marin community.

Martha y Isabel

A rural ranch family is a nest of early birds. They rise with the sun, preparing their families for the day in a flurry of activity, setting a blistering pace.

Corey Goodman & Marcia Barinaga

Devoted community members of West Marin and passionately committed to seeing children in West Marin thrive, Corey and Marcia were the first to invest in West Marin Fund’s early childhood equity initiative.