Grand Foundation has been a long-time supporter of Grand Beginnings Professional Development Scholarship Program. Supporting working professionals with funding to gain the educational requirements needed to support Grand County’s youngest residents, the professional development funding has supported over 100 early childhood professionals and provided nearly 1000 hours of ongoing training.

Professional Development Scholarship

For one recipient a professional development scholarship was a stepping stone to a new career and business venture. Jessica Driver was able to complete college coursework, obtain her director qualification, and gain the necessary administrative skills to be a leader in the opening of Little Sprouts Learning Center in Summer 2015.  Filling a large need of early care and education in Grand County, Little Sprouts serves nearly 50 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years old. With capacity for only 40% of our young children in child care, the opening of Little Sprouts meant more working families had access to safe, healthy, and nurturing child care, allowing them to work. When asked about becoming the director of Little Sprouts Jessica explained “None of this would have been possible without professional development funding. Not only did Grand Beginnings help financially, they volunteered their time to help answer questions and support me throughout the entire process.”

Grand Foundation Helps Make It All Possible

The ongoing support of the Grand Foundation makes it possible for Grand Beginnings to support the early care and education professionals and their programs, which ensures young children in our communities have high quality early care and education environments with well-prepared professionals supporting their early learning, which in turn ensures they are ready for school!