HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Parents of young children in Reno County have a new tool for helping their little ones thrive from day one: www.heylittlehutch.org.

The website features Reno County childcare and preschool information, events, activities and early learning resources.

 

“Research shows that the early years matter most,” Lisa Gleason, Executive Director of the United Way of Reno County, said. “By age three, nearly 80 percent of the brain is developed, and the learning that happens at that young age directly impacts how well children will do in school.”

The site provides a wealth of information in a variety of areas, including how to promote healthy brain development, build social and emotional skills, and support language and literacy development starting from birth.

“We’ve heard parents of small children asking for information on childcare options, family events and activities, and developmental milestones,” Kari Mailloux, Program Officer at Hutchinson Community Foundation, said. “We saw an opportunity to develop an online resource specific to Reno County that would not only answer these questions but also help them understand the key role they play in preparing their children for school success.”

HeyLittleHutch.org is a project of the K-Ready Coalition of local early childhood leaders, organized by the United Way of Reno County.