First Steps Latest News
Deadline Extended: Nominate an Early Childhood Champion
First Steps, the New River Valley’s local early childhood network, is accepting nominations for the 2026 Early Childhood Champions Awards.
2026 NRV Family Fun Days
Each year, each NRV locality hosts a Family Fun Day. These are free events for families that feature games, activities, and resources.
First Steps Celebrates Five Years of Honoring Early Childhood Champions
In late September, First Steps, an initiative of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV), celebrated early childhood educators and advocates at the fifth annual Early Childhood Champion Awards. First Steps is a network of more than 60 New River Valley (NRV) organizations that support young children and families through education, childcare, healthcare, advocacy, and more. This year,…
Meet Our 2025 Early Childhood Champion Nominees
Created in 2021, the Early Childhood Champion Awards recognize the early education and childcare providers, preschool teachers, child development specialists, human service providers, healthcare professionals, librarians, policymakers, and advocates who have positively impacted the lives of the NRV’s youngest residents. Nominations are accepted each spring, and the First Steps Leadership Team selects award recipients, who receive a cash prize from the Community…
4th Annual Early Childhood Champion Awards Recognizes 23 Educators, Advocates, & Innovators
During the award ceremony on August 23rd, we recognized all the nominees and announced this year’s winners. Each winner received a cash award provided by the Community Foundation of the New River Valley.
First Steps Honors Early Childhood Champions for Third Year in a Row
In late September, First Steps, an initiative of the CFNRV, celebrated 14 early childhood educators and advocates at the third annual Early Childhood Champion Awards.
First Steps Facebook Live Session Discusses Children Who Need a Little Extra
Our panel discussed what it takes to support children who need ‘a little more’ to be successful. First Steps is the NRV’s Early Childhood Education and Development Network, one of CFNRV’s initiatives.
CFNRV’s Favorite Moments from 2022
As we reflected on 2022, we wanted to share some of our favorite moments from a year filled with connection, celebration, and excitement. These moments, in chronological order, are below. We’re looking forward to connecting in 2023!
Now Hiring: First Steps Program Coordinator
The First Steps Program Coordinator at the CFNRV provides leadership and administrative support for First Steps: the NRV’s Early Childhood Education and Development Network.
Book Walks Get Attention of Author of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” Author
The CFNRV’s First Steps initiative worked with partners across the region to hold Book Walks featuring three children’s books by author Laura Numeroff.
November Book Walks Engage NRV Community
First Steps, an initiative of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, is holding “Book Walks” throughout the month of November to engage families and share resources about early education and childcare.
First Steps Honors Early Childhood Champions
In 2022 First Steps is celebrating 19 early childhood educators and advocates who make an impact on the New River Valley’s young children.