Legacy of Impact
Each year, First Up impacts the lives of over 50,000 children through the early education professionals and families we work with. Our commitment extends across all early learning environments, from centers and schools to Home-Based Child Care Networks to families and community ensuring that every adult in a child’s life has access to the tools and support needed to thrive. Below are just a few examples of the powerful impact our partnerships have created.
Family Child Care Advisory Council
The Family Child Care Advisory Council, established in January 2019 through the generous support of Vanguard’s Strong Start for Kids program and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2022, was created by and for home-based child care educators to strengthen their collective voice and impact. First Up has served as a backbone partner throughout this journey, offering guidance during the Advisory Council’s formation and continuing to provide coaching and strategic support as requested.
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First Up’s role has centered on supporting the Council’s own leadership—contributing expertise in areas such as organizational structure, capacity building, and operational planning—while honoring the Advisory Council’s mission, vision, and educator-led approach. This partnership reflects First Up’s ongoing commitment to advancing the growth and sustainability of home-based child care educators and networks. The Family Child Care Advisory Council and Quality Influential Professionals (QIP) are two Home-based Child Care Networks that have entered into a strategic alliance agreement for the purpose of leveraging the strengths of each organization. Both organizations have similar missions, serve Home-based Childcare Educators and we believe this alliance will support educators through providing valuable information and resources. In January 2025, the Family Child Care Advisory Council and QIP became an Affiliate of NAFCC, and educators will be able to access membership in all three organizations for one low price of $60, allowing them to take advantage of membership in the Family Child Care Advisory Council, Quality Influential Professionals (QIP), and NAFCC, and enjoy the benefits of each organization.
Get more information on First Up’s Home-Based Child Care Services:
PRIDE: Positive Racial Identity Program
For young Black children between the ages of 3 and 8, having a positive racial identity is a powerful foundation for lifelong learning, confidence, and success. P.R.I.D.E. in Philly equipped teachers, program directors, system leaders, and families to create that foundation through two education series and a teacher forum.
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Foundations for Positive Racial Identity in Early Learning
This five-part professional learning series was designed to empower educators to foster positive racial identity in young Black children—building the knowledge, reflection, and skills needed to create classrooms where every child feels seen, valued, and affirmed.
Art, Joy, and Belonging: Bringing Identity to Life in the Classroom
Building on the Foundations series, this five-part training helped educators intentionally weave racial identity-affirming content into everyday classroom experiences through art, dance, music, and relationships.
The Teacher Village
This teacher forum gave early childhood educators and caregivers the opportunity to discover and grow together as part of a tightly knit 15-person group. As part of the program, teachers developed lesson plans early educators can use in fostering positive racial identity.
Pathways to Positive Connection
Used an evidence-based framework to give teachers new strategies to support children’s social-emotional needs, resulting in fewer children demonstrating challenging behaviors.
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First Up partnered with Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) through grant provided by William Penn Foundation to deliver evidence-based training and individualized coaching to a cohort of early childhood teachers. Through the Pathways to Positive Connection initiative, First Up guided educators in applying an evidence-based framework designed to strengthen children’s social-emotional development. Our coaching focused on practical strategies that helped teachers reduce challenging behaviors in the classroom, foster positive relationships, and create supportive learning environments. By combining training with hands-on coaching, First Up ensured that educators could confidently implement these approaches and sustain meaningful improvements in their practice.
Slide into Success
Connected young children living in urban neighborhoods to nature and increased the skill level of early childhood educators in using nature-based play to support children’s learning.
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Funded by Vanguard, First Up partnered with Smith Playground and the Parent Infant Center to bring nature-based learning into urban early childhood classrooms. Through this initiative, First Up coaches worked side by side with educators to build confidence and skills in using outdoor play and natural materials as powerful teaching tools. We provided training and ongoing coaching that helped teachers integrate nature into daily routines, spark curiosity, and support overall quality improvement. By combining professional learning with personalized guidance, First Up ensured that educators could create enriching, nature-connected experiences—even in city settings.
Action for Early Learning (AEFL)
Gave providers training, coaching, and resources to deliver high-quality care, with the goal of kindergarten readiness and helping children to read at grade level by the end of third grade. First Up served as a key partner in the initiative, a community-driven effort led by Drexel University to strengthen early childhood education in the West Philadelphia Promise Zone.
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Through AFEL, First Up provided training, individualized coaching, and resources that helped childcare providers improve program quality and prepare children for school success. The initiative worked to increase access to high-quality early learning, align Pre-K and kindergarten goals for smooth transitions, and support literacy from Pre-K through third grade. AFEL also engaged families through neighborhood-based ambassadors and community events, creating a strong pipeline of support from cradle to career.
Although funding for AFEL has ended, several key components remain in place to sustain impact. AFEL continues to host Quarterly Alliance Meetings and Quarterly Virtual Classroom sessions, share timely resources through “Sherilynn is Sharing” email updates, and offer a CDA Preparation Class in partnership with BCDI-Philadelphia & Vicinity, sponsored by Drexel University’s Office of Workforce & Economic Development for West Philadelphia staff and residents. In addition, AFEL supports Parkway West High School’s Early Childhood Education Career Pathways Program by providing internship and volunteer placements for high school students.
This collaborative effort was originally funded by the Lenfest Foundation, PNC Foundation, Vanguard Strong Start for Kids, William Penn Foundation, and Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).