Kindergarten Readiness

Early learning builds lifelong opportunity. Through free books, child care scholarships, and parent support, thousands of young children are entering kindergarten confident and ready to succeed.

By THE NUMBERS

When you give to United Way, you’re not just providing books. You’re opening doors. You’re helping thousands of local children walk into kindergarten ready to succeed.

Help Us Do More
children accessed high-quality child care through scholarships, laying a strong foundation for school success.
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children under age five received free monthly books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
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of parents said these books are helping prepare their child for kindergarten.
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Kindergarten Readiness initiatives

Larimer Child Care Fund

The Larimer Child Care Fund provides scholarships that make quality child care more affordable for working families. It helps parents enter and stay in the workforce while ensuring
young children have access to the early learning experiences that lay the foundation for lifelong success.

WomenGive provides child care scholarships, emergency financial assistance and
direct cash assistance to single mothers pursuing higher education. By investing in two
generations at once, WomenGive helps families build lasting financial stability while
children receive high-quality early care.

Community Hubs bring child care, literacy services, mental health support, and other resources together in one welcoming space. By co-locating trusted partners, hubs make it easier for families to get what they need, reduce barriers, and strengthen connections. Nonprofits benefit from stable space to serve families more effectively, while advisory councils guide collaboration, shared learning, and community events. The result: more responsive services and greater progress toward financial stability and all four of United Way’s core goals.

This beloved early literacy program delivers free, high-quality books in English and Spanish to children every month from birth to age five—no cost, no catch. It fosters a love of reading and ensures every child has books at home, regardless of their family’s income.

In partnership with Unite for Literacy and La Familia, this initiative provides free access to a digital library with books in more than 60 languages along with physical books in Spanish to participating families. It supports early literacy by helping children see themselves in the stories they read and ensures that enrolled families build a home library of at least 100 books.

Early Childhood Navigators provide one-on-one guidance to families with young children, providing parenting support and helping them access child care, early education programs, and essential services. This initiative makes it easier for families to find and use the resources they need during a critical stage of child development.

UWLC provides flexible funding to local school districts to expand opportunities for
learning and ensure every student can succeed. This support includes tutoring, high
school readiness programs, classroom grants, and assistance with basic needs like
housing, transportation, and food, so students and their families can stay focused
on learning.

UWLC advocates for policy changes that expand opportunities for children and families.
We focus on the issues that matter most to Larimer County — like affordable child care,
housing, cost of living, and access to safe, inclusive learning environments — because
lasting change requires strong community systems.

REAL STORIES

"For 5 days we read the books to my 2-year-old child. He loves them. Even though he can’t speak well yet, he makes up the stories while we look at the pictures in the book. It was a very lovely experience to share the arrival of the books by mail. Thank you ”
Parent, La FamiliaLa Familia Growing Readers Pilot Program
When children have access to high-quality early learning programs, they start reading earlier, are more likely to graduate high school, and experience higher earnings into adulthood. Thanks to United Way, Teaching Tree is quadrupling its early childhood learning spots in Loveland, ensuring more kids receive affordable, high-quality care and empowering more parents to enter the workforce and achieve financial stability. Teaching Tree is grateful to lean on United Way for fundraising support, allowing us to focus on providing excellent services to our students and their families.
Anne Lance
Anne LanceExecutive Director, Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center
40% of Larimer County children under age five receive free books each month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. These books are more than storytime. They spark confidence, curiosity, and the skills children need to start school strong.