Branford Early Childhood Collaborative - Working towards making Branford a better place for children and families.

All Branford children, birth through age eight years, are happy, healthy, safe and successful with a love of learning in school and in life.

As the single coordinating entity for early childhood efforts (birth-age 8) in Branford, the BECC has worked to bring all key stakeholders together. Some of our partners are the United Way of Greater New Haven, The Town of Branford, East Shore District Health Department, the Branford Recreation Department, the Branford Counseling Center, the Blackstone Memorial Library, ERACE, The Family Resource Center, Branford Public Schools, Read to Grow and many more.

Funded through a partnership grant from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund (GMF), the State Department of Education (SDE) and The Children's Fund of Connecticut, the BECC is successfully engaging a broad cross-section of our community and has developed a comprehensive early childhood community blueprint in the areas of health, safety, socio-economic and early childhood education for all children in Branford, birth to age 8. We are aligned with the Connecticut Early Childhood Investment Framework, Ready by 5 and Fine by 9.

The collaborative's membership consists of town leaders, community organizations, public & private pre-k and elementary schools, health care community, businesses and families that are committed to the well-being and healthy development of Branford’s children.

Help Make A Difference

Branford Early Childhood Collaborative welcomes participation by all members of the community!

Parents play a particularly important role in our partnership.  As the first and most important teachers of their children, parents understand which strategies will work best to support their children's healthy development and early learning.

Educators, business people, social service providers, and health providers all have experience, expertise, and talents that the partnership can benefit from. Working together will help us all more effectively reach our goals for Branford's children.

If you wish to become involved or would just like more information click Join Us to find out more or contact our coordinator Jodi Kelly at branford.becc@gmail.com. Grow with us...because the early years matter.

National Week of the Young Child

Branford celebrates the National Week of the Young Child in April 2013. BECC is distributing over 1200 books during The One Book One Town literacy campaign on April 9th. The book, Not A Box by Antoinette Portis is the story of a small rabbit with a big imagination. A box is just a box… unless it's not a box. From mountain to rocket ship, this rabbit shows that a cardboard box will go as far as the imagination allows.

Join us on the Branford Green on Saturday April 27th from 12pm-3pm and help construct a replica of the Town of Branford with cardboard boxes culminating with an official ribbon cutting. Musical entertainment provided by Starving Artists Tackle Broadway. Pre-school Art Walk at 3pm with the Downtown Merchants. Sponsored by United Way, Comcast, The Branford Rotary and ERACE.

ABOUT

• Health & Happiness
• Safety
• Education