Tiffany Brinton tries to help her kids enter kindergarten One Step Ahead in St. Joseph, Missouri. Her facility, One Step Ahead Early Learning Center, provides high-quality, comprehensive child care and early education for children from 6 weeks through school age. After serving in the field as an owner and director for many years, Tiffany is now using her voice and experience to advocate for strong investments in early care and education statewide. Read her story below!
Why did you become an advocate for ECE?
I have seen firsthand the difference quality early childhood education can make in my own community. I wanted to become an advocate so I could reach not only those in my own community but those all across the state.
Why do you think it’s important to be an advocate as a Provider?
I feel it is important to be an advocate as a provider because we are on the front lines experiencing the need for quality early education every day. We are seeing not only the day-to-day benefits our children get from quality education but also the lasting benefits as we see those children that leave our program thriving as they start school. As providers our families and communities trust, I feel it is important to advocate because we have a community that will stand behind us in making changes to help improve early childhood education not only for our children but also for the adults that work with our children every day.
Why should Missouri invest more in child care and early education?
Missouri should invest more in early education because it is the foundation for our young people to be successful in the future. Studies show that quality education in the formative years gives children a better chance at a successful future. Those children being successful now benefits our entire community as they become successful adults that give back to the community they are part of. Every child deserves a chance to have the most positive outcome for their life!
In one sentence, what does the ideal child care and early education system look like for families in Missouri?
In one sentence that is tough! The ideal early childhood and education system would offer families their choice of classrooms filled with quality caregivers making a reasonable wage with access to more than enough educational materials to provide the best services to all families at an affordable cost.