I read somewhere that the first 1,000 days of life is the brain’s window of opportunity. A time in a child's life when the foundations of optimum health, growth, and brain development across the lifespan are established.

This concept isn't that hard for me to wrap my head around - considering some of my most vivid early childhood memories are the days I spent with Miss Jennifer and Miss Ali at the KinderCare on Bluemound Road in Brookfield, Wisconsin when I was about 3 or 4.

Their kindness, their empathy, their care and concern is something I'll always remember.

They gave me the opportunity to make friends, be confident, ask questions, compromise with one another. They gave me the opportunity to learn - something that many kids in Central Indiana may not have.

With your help, we could be putting a "little Maddie" in the hands of another "Miss Jennifer" or "Miss Ali", and prepare them for lifelong success.

For less than $10 a month, your gift can power the start of a child's life-long learning and ensure they enter kindergarten prepared to succeed.