Your Fall 2025 Childcare Resources Connection
- Childcare Resources
- Sep 19
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 29
In this issue:
Little Learners, Big Steps
Laughter, happy tears, and proud applause filled the room as families, teachers, volunteers, and supporters gathered to celebrate the Childcare Resources Class of 2025. Dressed in caps and gowns, twenty-eight young graduates performed songs—including one in sign language—and accepted their diplomas beaming with pride, ready for kindergarten and beyond.
Claudia McNulty, dedicated member of the program committee and school volunteer, attended the graduation with her sister. “Attending the Graduation ceremony was such a joyful celebration,” says Claudia. “Seeing the children’s bright smiles and the pride on the faces of family was truly heartwarming.”
Graduation day is the culmination of everything our donors help make possible: years of learning, growth, and joyful discovery. Because of your support, these bright learners are ready to take on the world. Thank you for being part of their journey.
Building Brighter Futures: DeShannon and Desmond
When DeShannon heard about Childcare Resources through a local community partner, she knew immediately that this could be the opportunity she was looking for. As a single mother, she was determined to give her son, Desmond, the best possible start.Shortly after enrolling, it became clear that Desmond wasn’t hitting his early communication milestones.
“He wasn’t talking,” DeShannon recalls. “And I started to worry he might be having trouble hearing, too.”
Thankfully, Childcare Resources offers more than high-quality early education. Through its Wellness and Early Intervention Program, the school conducts regular hearing, vision, and developmental assessments for all enrolled children. During Desmond’s hearing screening, the staff identified signs of hearing loss.
The Wellness team guided DeShannon through navigating insurance and local referrals, supporting her through each stage of the process. After Desmond received his hearing aids, Childcare Resources began on-site speech therapy and basic sign language lessons to strengthen his growing communication skills.“All of the challenges I was facing as a single mother were made easier with Childcare Resources by my side,” DeShannon says. “They pointed me in the right direction and made sure I wasn’t alone.”
DeShannon felt real peace of mind knowing that Desmond was receiving both the early intervention and high-quality education he needed, all in one place. She saw firsthand how the care and support he received helped him grow. Desmond’s classmates even learned sign language, creating a classroom community where everyone could connect.
Today, Desmond communicates clearly, expresses his needs and ideas, and enjoys spending time with his friends. He especially loves reading, learning new things, and continues to grow more confident each day.
“The staff show him so much love and patience,” DeShannon says. “I can’t thank Childcare Resources enough for helping with his hearing loss and always being so kind. They truly care about him.”
Desmond recently graduated from Childcare Resources— fully prepared for kindergarten.
Starting the Year Strong
The beginning of a new school year brings excitement, but also big transitions. For young children, those first few weeks are filled with new routines and new faces. At Childcare Resources, our educators don’t navigate that alone. Our Mental and Behavioral Health Coaches, Anne and Jessica, work with teachers to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.
To start the year, Anne and Jessica led a Teacher Café on handling common classroom behavior challenges. They introduced Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies that reinforce positive behaviors through repetition, redirection, and encouragement.
“Behavior is a prerequisite to learning,” says Jessica. “We’re not just teaching young children what to learn, we’re teaching them how to learn.”
Anne brought the concepts to life by sharing home videos of her children, giving teachers a relatable view of strategies in action.
"The session aims to give teachers the chance to really reflect on their approach,” says Anne. “We want them to walk away with practical, proven tools they can start using right away.”
This type of in-depth training is a key feature of Childcare Resources’ Wellness and Early Intervention Program. By consistently supporting and expanding the knowledge of our early education staff, we’re building stronger classrooms and brighter futures.
Donor Spotlight: Pam Barr
When Pam first learned about Childcare Resources, she knew she wanted to help. “I had been involved in early childhood education for 34 years,” she says. “When I toured the center, I loved the classrooms, the teachers, and the people. I knew I could make a difference.”
From serving on the program committee to baking treats for Teacher Appreciation Week, Pam is always giving back. She has also played a key role in making sure every child in our program has their Holiday Wishlist fulfilled. “Honestly, I’ve loved every aspect of being involved. It’s hard to pick just one moment,” she says. “Being able to support the teachers and children directly is incredibly rewarding.”
Her advice to anyone considering involvement is simple: “Absolutely do it. There are so many ways to get involved, and it’s fun and rewarding. If you care about the success of young children, Childcare Resources is a place where you can make a real impact.”
Because of donors like Pam, children in our community have safe classrooms, skilled teachers, and the support they need to reach their full potential from day on
A Day of Learning, A Future of Impact
Childcare Resources kicked off its first professional learning workshop of the academic year at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. The day was led by Master Instructor Angela Fraley, who brought energy and insight to the Conscious Discipline approach.
More than 180 early childhood educators representing over 43 organizations across Indian River County came together for the workshop, highlighting their commitment to nurturing our youngest learners.
“Your job is about building brain development and creating space where children can connect safely and problem-solve,” says Fraley. “This is foundational to everything children learn.”
Centered on Conscious Discipline, this research-based approach equips teachers to guide children, promote self-regulation, and create supportive classrooms for learning.
Teachers left with new strategies and practical tools to demonstrate resilience and consistency in their teaching. This opportunity gave them the chance to grow in their practice, and in turn, hundreds of children across Indian River County will benefit from stronger, more connected learning environments.
“When we learn how to manage our stress ourselves, we are capable of modeling it for children,” says Fraley. “Conscious Discipline isn’t just a program. It is part of our everyday life.”
Educator of the Year
At the workshop, the inaugural Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award was presented to Ms. Marilyn Brock, honoring more than three decades of dedication to young children and families. Over the years, Marilyn has been a tireless teacher and advocate in the field of early education.
“Marilyn’s career reflects an unwavering commitment to children and families,” says Executivce Director Shannon McGuire Bowman. “She represents the very best of what it means to be an early educator, and we are proud to honor her as our first Educator of the Year.”
Created to celebrate excellence, this award recognizes an early childhood educator whose dedication and innovation foster children’s learning and development.
“There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that I’ve made an impact on a child’s life,” says Marilyn. “No matter how many years I do this, it never gets old.”
Her words and her example reflect the passion and professionalism that make high-quality early childhood education possible. All nominees for this award were put forward by their school directors, a reflection of the deep respect and admiration they inspire in their own classrooms.
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