Kids' First Years

There are more than 11,000 infants, toddlers and young children in the City of Alexandria. While their futures are promising, what kids experience in their first five years impacts how they succeed for years to come. Kids' First Years started as a work group over 10 years ago and while we've evolved to a nonprofit organization, our focus on making Alexandria the best place to raise children has not changed.

Kids' First Years serves as the backbone organization for Alexandria’s early childhood ecosystem, convening stakeholders, aligning strategies, and mobilizing resources so that all children, birth to 8, are healthy, thriving, and ready for school. Organized as a collective impact initiative, the KFY Collective represents the key partners and stakeholders who have committed to coordinate efforts via an aligned Common Agenda.  

A Snapshot of Our Work

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As a collective partnership comprised of 16 organizations, we: 

• Center children and families in every system we design and every decision we make. We drive systems change and alignment so families, caregivers and our community members have what they need to support kids’ health, well-being and learning, especially during the first five years, a crucial window for children’s brain development.
• Collaborate with experts to ensure we’re supporting kids and families in the best ways possible. Our collective includes parents and caregivers, doctors and nurses, nonprofit and foundation leaders, public school and early learning educators, government officials, business leaders and community members.  
• Connect families with the right resources and services. We focus on what helps families thrive the most through events such as our Community Baby Showers, which connect new and expectant families with crucial resources, and information sharing to help parents find affordable child care.
• Follow the data. We regularly review the newest data, research and best practices. We are focused on providing a citywide perspective on our community and using data to inform our collective needs and actions. 

We work tirelessly to create a coordinated system that ensures equitable access, enrollment, and funding for essential services. By supporting Kids’ First Years, you are contributing to a comprehensive effort to provide the resources and support children need to succeed. Together, we can build a brighter future for all children in our community.