The AFIA community extends beyond students, families and staff. Our community partners help us better meet the needs of our students and families. This year we have a new partnership with Start at Zero, a local non-profit, to support early childhood development. We know a child’s early years are critical to school success and this partnership supports families with young children. 

Parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most influential teachers. Early positive parent-child interaction it benefits the parent or caregiver and the child before they start school. Start at Zero, offers quality, free programming for families including developmental screenings, weekly playgroups at AFIA, and home visits for families with children age 0-5, and prenatal moms. When we support caregivers to promote healthy early childhood development, we prepare children for a lifetime of success. 

AFIA’s parent educator, Sally Morrow, shares, “When a parent plays with their young child for just 5 minutes each day – they teach language, social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills. This also strengthens attachment between children and their caregivers, the foundation of a child’s relationships into the future.”

As a partner school AFIA families receive priority for these programs. If you’re curious about Start at Zero, or would like to schedule a visit with SAZ parent educator, Sally Morrow, please contact her at sally@startazero.org or 816-945-9635. 

All families with children ages 0-5 are welcome to attend our playgroups at AFIA in the library on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. No need to register – just come and be prepared to play with your children!

We are grateful for all of our community partners and are excited for this new partnership!