Your Fall 2026 Childcare Resources Connection
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Building Brighter Futures: Alayah
When Izcel became a young mother, she quickly realized that raising a child without nearby family support came with challenges she never expected. She wanted the very best for her daughter, Alayah, but she also needed a community she could rely on.
She wasn’t simply looking for childcare. She was looking for someone to walk alongside her.
Through a partnership with Homeless Children’s Foundation, Izcel was connected to Childcare Resources, where she found far more than a safe place for her daughter to learn. She found teachers who celebrated every milestone, professionals who offered guidance, and a team that genuinely cared about her entire family.
As Alayah grew, so did her confidence. In Childcare Resources’ nationally accredited early learning program, she was encouraged to explore and ask questions.
“Alayah is excited for school come Monday morning,” Izcel shares. “The teachers at Childcare Resources have nurtured her natural curiosity and instilled a lifelong joy of learning.”
At right: Alayah works with a therapist
And when additional support was needed, it was already there. Through on-site speech and physical therapy services, Alayah received the care she needed to overcome developmental challenges and continued making remarkable progress.
Over the next five years, Childcare Resources became a constant source of encouragement for the entire family. Alayah’s sisters also became part of the Childcare Resources community, demonstrating that lasting change happens when the whole family is supported.
This August, Alayah graduated from Childcare Resources, eager to begin elementary school and already dreaming of one day becoming a scientist. For Izcel, the greatest gift has been knowing she never had to navigate motherhood alone.
“Childcare Resources is our support family,” Izcel says. “If not for this school, I don’t know where we’d be today.”
At right: Alayah graduated in 2026.
Because of generous donors, families like Izcel’s don’t just find childcare. They find trusted relationships, individualized support, and a community that helps children thrive while giving parents the confidence to build a better future. A place where families can truly belong.
Little Learners, Big Steps
Joy filled every corner as Childcare Resources celebrated an important milestone for our young learners: graduation and the exciting transition to kindergarten.
Dressed in caps and gowns, our students were centerstage with pride, showcasing just how far they have come. From songs and smiles to proud waves for their families, each moment reflected years of learning, growth, and discovery.
Their achievement is especially meaningful when considering that only 45% of children in Indian River County entered kindergarten ready to learn in 2025.
In contrast, more than 90% of Childcare Resources graduates demonstrated kindergarten readiness, a testament to the power of high-quality early learning and dedicated support.
For our graduates, this celebration represents the culmination of strong early learning foundations, nurturing relationships, and dedicated support from teachers, families, and our volunteers. Thanks to your support, these children begin kindergarten prepared to embrace every opportunity ahead.
Graduation is the first step toward a bright future for our youngest learners and for the community they will one day help shape.
Investing in Teachers. Inspiring Children.
For more than a decade, Helen Sarah Steyer has been making a lasting difference through Childcare Resources’ Sponsor a Teacher program. As a former educator herself, Helen understands the vital role teachers play and the importance of ensuring they have the support needed to succeed. Today, her generous sponsorship supports Ms. Mavinee and the energetic three-year-olds in the Chrysanthemum classroom.
“Supporting the Sponsor a Teacher program has been a meaningful way for me to invest directly in the lives of children and the educators who help them thrive. Receiving updates from Ms. Mavinee and the Chrysanthemums classroom has been such a joy, allowing me to see firsthand the growth and special moments taking place each day, and the difference a dedicated teacher can make in the lives of young children.”
Through Sponsor a Teacher, donors help provide approximately 50% of a teacher’s annual compensation and professional support, including competitive salaries, health benefits, professional development, and classroom resources that help educators create exceptional learning experiences.
The Sponsor a Teacher program creates a unique connection between donors and educators.It’s an investment that benefits not only one classroom, but generations of children.
Did you know?
Our Wellness & Early Intervention Program has evolved into a vital direct patient care model, delivering comprehensive, family-centered services that support children’s physical, developmental, behavioral, and mental health during the years that matter most.
Through an interdisciplinary approach, our team collaborates with licensed occupational, physical, speech-language, and behavioral therapists to provide evidence-based care in the familiar environment where children learn and grow each day. By integrating healthcare and early education, we reduce barriers to care, improve access to critical services, and ensure children receive intervention as early as possible.
But our work doesn’t stop with therapy.
We partner with parents to provide wraparound support, coordinating referrals, connecting families with community resources, navigating insurance and service systems, and empowering them to advocate for their children’s needs. Through collaboration, care coordination, and a whole-family approach, we strengthen outcomes and create healthier beginnings.
Supporting Educator Success
Great teachers never stop learning. That’s why the Childcare Resources Higher Education Program is designed to help early childhood professionals advance their education and build rewarding careers that benefit the children they serve every day.
An early educator at RCMA Robert F. Covill Child Development Center, Maritza Cruz recently earned her Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education with guidance, professional development, and educational support from Childcare Resources.
As a mother of two and the first person in her family to attend college, balancing work, family, and coursework was not always easy. Through the Higher Education Program, Maritza received the encouragement and resources she needed to stay focused on her goal and achieve this important milestone.
“The Childcare Resources Higher Education Program provided valuable support, mentoring, and professional learning opportunities that deepened my growth and confidence as a teacher. I am truly grateful to Childcare Resources for all they do to support educators like me.”
Maritza’s story is a powerful reminder that investing in educators creates a ripple effect, strengthening classrooms, enriching learning experiences for children, and building a stronger early childhood workforce across Indian River County.
Comments