How Early Childhood Providers Are Uniquely Positioned to Save the World

In the early morning quiet, before many parents have even poured their first cup of coffee, dedicated early childhood providers are already welcoming children into classrooms, homes, and centers across our communities. In these settings — daycares, preschools, Head Start programs, and childcare centers — these caregivers are more than supervisors or teachers. They are mentors, nurturers, supporters, and, often, the adults who spend the most waking hours with young children. The influence wielded by early childhood development professionals is nothing less than world-changing — and perhaps, quite literally, life-saving.

Children are shaped in countless ways

during these vital early years. The routines established, the lessons learned, and most importantly, the careful observation of their development can alter the course of lives, even change the trajectory of their futures. This is the heart of the mission behind Children’s Airway First Foundation (CAFF) and its “Fix by Six” initiative, which aims to identify, diagnose, and treat airway disorders by the age of six — setting the stage for healthier futures.

What many may not realize, is just how powerful a partnership can be between early childhood providers, parents, and healthcare professionals in this regard. When it comes to childhood health, airway disorders — such as sleep-disordered breathing, mouth breathing, and undiagnosed sleep apnea — are too often invisible. Yet, the impacts can be lifelong: from behavioral and learning challenges to chronic health conditions that follow children well into adulthood. The key? Early identification and intervention. That’s where early childhood professionals become heroes, yet again.

More Than Care: Precious Hours of Influence

Research shows that, during the workweek, children often spend more of their waking hours in early care environments than they do at home. While ideally parents should, of course, be their child’s first teacher and fiercest advocate, even the most attentive family cannot be everywhere at once. Early childhood providers, trained to watch for developmental milestones, behavioral shifts, and physical cues, are uniquely positioned to spot the subtle red flags that signal an airway issue.

Is a child habitually tired, even after long naps? Are they breathing through their mouth,

snoring, or struggling to concentrate? Do they have difficulty eating or show behavioral changes that just don’t match typical development? Early childhood educators see these patterns, often before anyone else does. When equipped with the right knowledge, they become the first line of defense in recognizing symptoms that might otherwise go undiagnosed for years.

“Fix by Six”: A Shared Mission

CAFF’s mission is clear: identify, diagnose, and treat airway disorders by age six. The science is compelling. Children whose airway issues are addressed early are more likely to avoid long-term consequences — both academic and health-related. The “Fix by Six” initiative is, at its heart, a call to action for all of us, but it is ECE professionals who are at the very vanguard.

By educating and empowering early care providers to spot airway-related red flags,

CAFF is building a bridge between families, educators, and medical professionals. This isn’t just about adding another responsibility to already-full plates. It’s about recognizing and honoring the unique relationship early childhood educators have with the children in their care.

Together, We Can Change Lives

Imagine a future where every early childhood professional is trained to notice mouth-breathing, persistent snoring during nap time, or trouble focusing in circle time. Picture the provider who calls a parent not just to relay a concern, but to share practical information and resources, armed with CAFF’s supportive materials. Now, envision parents who, instead of feeling alone, have a knowledgeable advocate in their child’s daily care team, working hand-in-hand with a healthcare provider to chart the best path forward.

This isn’t wishful thinking… It will be a revolution in children’s preventive health, unfolding every day in classrooms and playrooms around the world. By raising awareness, providing education, and sharing tools, CAFF’s initiative will ensure that every child has the opportunity to live, learn, and thrive — with every breath they take.

A Call to Action

To every early childhood professional: You are not just shaping young minds — you are safeguarding futures. The power to transform lives is in your hands, every day, with every child in your care. By collaborating with parents and seeking out resources like those provided by CAFF, you become the change we so desperately need.

You are, quite literally, saving the world — one child, one family, one breath at a time.

Join us in this movement to ensure that each child reaches their full potential. The world needs your skilled eyes, compassionate hearts, and the awareness you are uniquely able to provide. The future rests with you. Working together, we can ensure that every child has a lifetime of health and happiness.  Here’s to you, and all you do. 

The Power of Everyday Moments: How Simple Interactions Unlock Children's Potential

This inspiring TED Talk, "How Every Child Can Thrive by Five", delivers a powerful message from seven-year-old Molly Wright about the transformative impact of simple, everyday interactions — life playing peekaboo — on a child's brain development and lifelong wellbeing. Wright's heartfelt demonstration of how connecting, talking, and playing with young children builds both relationships and essential cognitive skills perfectly complements the themes explored in our blog post about the vital, world-changing role of early childhood providers. Both pieces highlight that high-quality care and early intervention, especially when it comes to supporting airway health and development, can profoundly shape the future for every child — reminding us that each shared moment has the potential to change lives for the better.