Candelen

Candelen joins with families, communities and systems to illuminate the inherent potential of children to shine their brightest. Our early childhood experts offer educational programs, supportive services and helpful tools for parents, caregivers, and educators to collectively and holistically advance our mission.

Candelen was founded in 1976 as a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to shaping the future of Arizona. Every program at Candelen meets a unique set of needs within the child care and early education field. The need for child care continues to be critical. Today, Candelen staff continue to improve the quality of care for Arizona children and families.

At Candelen We:
* Provide training and education to individuals in the child care field
* Support quality child care through coaching programs
* Offer support and training to those who care for the children of family and friends
* Encourage child care professionals to continue their education
* Assist family child care providers with state certification
* Assist refugee families settling in Arizona with starting a child care business in their home

Testimonials

"After recently becoming a parent it would have been a hardship to afford the cost of child care for my child. I was encouraged to become a family child care provider and open my own small business in my home. Candelen's Niños en Mi Casa Program made the Department of Economic Security (DES) Certification process smooth. I felt supported and connected through the process and now as a certified provider I have already enrolled two families!!" - Niños en Mi Casa Program Participant

Amitie is a mother of 4 children and expecting her fifth child. She also provides child care for her two nephews. Amitie initially enrolled in the Candelen's Arizona Kith and Kin Project in an effort to increase the quality of care she offers to her nephews since their mother works fulltime. Amitie considers herself a second mother to the children in her care since they spend significant hours in her care. Amitie has shared her limitations with the availability of materials, but is grateful that she has been able to increase her materials and activities because of the resources the Candelen's Arizona Kith and Kin Project provides through the Leaps and Bounds component. Amitie states that now her nephews loves to play outside using chalk when before they would throw a tantrum over the television. She also shared that they have not watched television in her home for over a week! One of the most gratifying elements has been receiving feedback from the nephew's mother who is surprised daily, not only by them wanting to play outside, but the vocabulary they are using. She says she can have full conversations with her children, and find out words she never even knew her children knew about especially her two (2) year old!