The early education program in Castleford was able to expand when the school district received a grant to purchase a portable classroom.

The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health hopes that its grants are catalytic for the recipients, meaning the funding sparks positive long-term change and addresses a root cause that impacts health.

That’s exactly what happened after the Castleford School District received a grant in 2022 to launch an early education program for children ages 4 and 5. Prior to the program, the small rural community in Twin Falls County didn’t have any early education opportunities. Studies have found that early education is critically important for brain and social development, which have profound benefits later in life. Children who attend preschool, as well as children from families that use early education materials and tools, show up to kindergarten more prepared and ready to learn.

Castleford’s program is in its third year of operating, and the results are notable. The students from the first early education class are now in the first grade and last year’s group is in kindergarten this year.

The Castleford School District offers early education programs for children ages 3-5.

“We’ve noticed that the kids who were in the preschool have a really good understanding of school,” said Rachel Puschel, who teaches kindergarten this year and serves as the preschool project manager and EL Specialist for the district. “They get it. I can tell they’ve been at school. They know how to sit. They know how to listen. They know how to hold pencils. They know how to do a lot of different things and are really good at communicating their emotions, their feelings, their skills, their needs. We wish that more of the kids in my class this year would have come to preschool last year because they have missed out on a lot of basic knowledge of being in school.”

More children in Castleford have access to early education after the school district received a grant from the Idaho Workforce Development Council worth $270,000. The district purchased a portable classroom that increases capacity and enabled the district to add a program for children ages 3 and 4, creating 18 additional seats for the programs.

“The original grant really just opened every door possible for us to be able to expand to a full-day program for 3- and 4-year-olds,” Puschel said, adding that the initial program began as a half-day program.

The district worked with the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC) when creating its initial early education program. The district also completed an Early Education & Schools learning series that helped guide how the new program for 3- and 4-year-olds would operate. That relationship with IAEYC led to applying and eventually receiving the Idaho Workforce Development Council grant. Puschel said Martin Balben, the director of IAEYC’s early learning collaborative project, encouraged the district to seek the grant.

“Idaho AEYC is proud to have played a role in supporting the district’s efforts,” Balben said. “The success of the Workforce Development Council grant for the portable classroom in Castleford is a direct reflection of how the community came together to meet the pressing need for more early education opportunities. From the start, local leaders, parents, educators, and business owners recognized the importance of addressing childcare challenges in their area. What truly stood out in this process was the collaborative spirit that drove the project forward. It wasn’t just about securing funding—it was about building a sustainable solution that would have a long-term impact on families and children in the community.”

The latest data shows that only 51 percent of Idaho children have the pre-literacy, math, and social-emotional skills needed in kindergarten. Early education is critical to kindergarten readiness. Early education programs such as the ones in Castleford are designed to change that.

Castleford worked with the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children to help design its early education programs.

“People were just floored that we put in a brand-new program, a new building and brand-new everything in six months,” she said. “Every parent is pleased with what we’re doing. They are so appreciative of the program and what we have to offer.”

Balben called Castleford a success and model for other small Idaho communities.

“This grant represents more than just a portable classroom — it’s about creating access to high-quality early learning for children, which is critical for their long-term success,” he said. “It supports working families by providing them with reliable childcare, addressing a significant workforce need in the area. The Castleford community’s efforts prove that even in rural areas, where resources can be limited, community-driven solutions can have a powerful and lasting impact.”

It all started with that grant in 2022 that proved to be catalytic.

“We can’t thank the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health enough,” said Puschel, adding that a second grant from the Foundation helped cover costs the Workforce Development Council grant did not.