teaching

Quality First Scholarships

Quality First Scholarships

Programs enrolled in Quality First may be eligible to offer Quality First Scholarships to help low-income families with children birth to age 5. Child care is one of the biggest expenses many families face and finding quality child care that is affordable can be a challenge. Quality First Scholarships help Quality First Participants fill paid slots in your program and reimburse you for some of the expenses of providing quality care expenses such as higher wages for more experienced or educated professionals, low staff-to-child ratios and small group sizes. The number of scholarships allocated to each site are based on the size of the program and its Quality First Star Rating.

 

Quality First Scholarships are not available in all regions of Arizona, and the number of scholarships available is limited.

Quality First Scholarships Reporting

For programs participating in Quality First Scholarships, more information and the online reporting portal are available at azftfscholarships.org. Download and share the FY25 Quality First Scholarships Family Application  (En Español)  with the families in your care.

For assistance, contact Valley of the Sun United Way at 602.240.6325.

Valley of the Sun United Way works together with early care and education providers to administer the reporting of Quality First Scholarships for First Things First.