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The Childcare Resources of Indian River Board of Directors. Leadership The Board of Directors guides Childcare Resources in its mission to provide affordable, quality childcare to families in Indian River County. All board members play a vital role in development, strategic planning, governance and financial management of the organization. Tracy Sorzano President Megan Knurr Secretary Mary Sue Brown Trustee Charles R. Lunceford Trustee Geraldine Smith Trustee Helen Boehm Johnson President Elect Jim Beindorf Officer at Large David W. Griffis Trustee Matthew McCain Trustee Jennifer Peshke Immediate Past President Melissa Shine Officer at Large Christine Hammarskjold Trustee Xavier Nolasco Trustee Kyle Thurn Treasurer Kelly Baysura Trustee T.P. Kennedy Trustee Gail Nourse Trustee

Learn about our high-quality childcare program, including how to qualify and how to apply. About the Program Childcare Resources works to provide high-quality childcare at an affordable cost to working families in Indian River County, providing full-time care for more than 150 children between six weeks and five years of age. Care is provided at the Childcare Resources School and at privately-owned contracting centers. All centers are accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) . In addition to childcare, Childcare Resources provides wellness services including mental health referrals and on-site therapies. Educational programming is provided for parents on a regular basis. To qualify for the Childcare Resources program, all adults in the household must meet three requirements: Live in Indian River County Be employed or attending school full-time Work full-time (at least 30 hours per week) Attend school full-time (12 credit hours or more) Or a combination of work and school that adds up to a full time position. Meet the income eligibility requirements below: Number in Household Household Income 2 $31,725 - $44,415 3 $39,975 - $55,965 4 $48,225 - $67,515 5 $56,475 - $79,065 6 $64,725 - $90,615 7 $72,975 - $102,165 8 $81,225 - $113,715 Meet all three requirements? Complete the preliminary application! Frequently asked questions The Childcare Resources School The Childcare Resources Program Opportunities to Give Outreach for Early Educators What are the school's hours? The Childcare Resources School is open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. What is the school's license number? The Childcare Resources School's license number is #C19IR0002 What qualifications do teachers need? In addition to background screening, all of our teachers are required to obtain an FCCPC or CDA staff credential within one year of being hired. Does the school have classroom volunteers? Yes! Childcare Resources has a dedicated group of volunteers that are a valuable part of our school family. Our volunteers do everything from playground cleanup to serving lunch to providing one-on-one attention in classrooms. Childcare Resources policy is that a staff member is always present when a volunteer is working with a child. All volunteers are screened in the same manner as school staff. Is there a parent handbook? Yes, you can view the parent handbook here.(undefined)

Are you interested in working at Childcare Resources? Explore our open positions and submit your resume! Join our team VIEW SCHOOL OPENINGS Director of Philanthropy Drive Major Gifts. Empower Children. Strengthen Communities. Are you ready to make a profound impact on the lives of children and families? Childcare Resources of Indian River is seeking a dynamic Director of Philanthropy to lead our major gifts strategy and champion a culture of giving. As we expand our reach and launch the next phase of our Transforming Tomorrow capital campaign, you’ll play a pivotal role in cultivating relationships, inspiring generosity, and shaping the future of early childhood education in our community. If you’re passionate about building meaningful connections and driving transformational change, we want you on our team. Please submit resume t o Michele Harr: Michele@ ChildcareResourcesIR.org View Job Description (PDF) What does it mean to be part of the Childcare Resources team? We understand that we’re part of a school family . We believe that strong, open communication is the key to everyone’s success. We work towards the same goals . We practice gratitude . We think big . We are transparent . We believe that our culture, like our organization, creates impact . We believe that what we do shapes a better tomorrow . What can you expect from your teammates - and yourself? Creative mind full of ideas. Eyes that see opportunity . Strong voice to advocate for the families we serve. Big heart that’s full of passion for our mission . Arms that lift up our teammates . Hands that are always willing to help . Legs that stand up for what’s right . Feet that dance when we celebrate a win . School Positions Assistant Teacher Responsibilities Provide a safe and stimulating classroom environment Implement age appropriate curriculum Foster relationships with parents Meet NAEYC requirements Maintain files and records Abide by all laws and regulations Minimum Qualifications High school diploma 1 year of experience working with young children in a classroom setting DCF training certification Level II background screening First aid and CPR training Commitment to obtain staff credential within one year of employment (FCCPC or CDA) Hours 40 hours per week, year-round Apply Today Full-Time School Support Specialist Responsibilities Assist in various classrooms Provide a safe and stimulating classroom environment Implement age appropriate curriculum Foster relationships with parents Meet NAEYC requirements Maintain files and records Abide by all laws and regulations Minimum Qualifications High school diploma 1 year of experience working with young children in a classroom setting DCF training certification Level II background screening First aid and CPR training Commitment to obtain staff credential within one year of employment (FCCPC or CDA) Hours 40 hours per week, year-round Apply Today Part-Time School Support Specialist Responsibilities Assist in various classrooms Provide a safe and stimulating classroom environment Implement age appropriate curriculum Foster relationships with parents Meet NAEYC requirements Maintain files and records Abide by all laws and regulations Minimum Qualifications High school diploma 1 year of experience working with young children in a classroom setting DCF training certification Level II background screening First aid and CPR training Commitment to obtain staff credential within one year of employment (FCCPC or CDA) Hours 20-25 hours per week, year-round Apply Today Childcare Resources has available positions for dedicated, responsible and caring individuals who have a passion for working with young children. We offer competitive salary and benefits, as well as the opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art school with skilled and professional colleagues. What does it take to join our team? A desire to teach through inspiration and exploration. Every child learns differently and it's your role to create the spark! A commitment to implement a thoughtful and well-planned curriculum. As a NAEYC-accredited school, our curriculum addresses all aspects of child development. An understanding that your role as a caretaker and an educator can make a life-long difference for a child. The nurturing and education children receive in their first five years shapes the rest of their lives. A willingness to partner with parents. We encourage parents to be involved in their child's education and we encourage teachers to provide guidance and support. An enthusiasm for continued learning. Childcare Resources provides ongoing professional development opportunities, including workshops and coaching. What We Offer: Witness Wonder Children play on a carpet in a preschool classroom. Who We Are About Childcare Resources and what working here means A Childcare Resources Team Member Qualities of a team member Witness Wonder Children play on a carpet in a preschool classroom. 1/4

Conscious Discipline: Baby Doll Circle Time | Kim Jackson | Conscious Discipline Conscious Discipline: Baby Doll Circle Time September 2016 Kim Jackson Conscious Discipline Handout (PDF) Workshop Photos Back

When we are fully present with a child, we are curious about what they are thinking and feeling Coach's Column Paulette Maggiacomo June 25, 2020 Hi everyone, As I was downloading my next virtual conference, I wondered what new tools I was going to add to my toolbox in helping transform challenging behavior. Laura Fish’s talk on Mindfulness, the Brain, and Behavior reinforced tools that I already had. When I think about mindfulness, the words meditation and yoga immediately pop into my head. It turns out that mindfulness is not what I thought it was! Laura uses the phrase uploading our software, which translates into the fact that we are always learning. She believes that using strategies based on brain research helps teachers work smarter not harder. We practice mindfulness when we pay attention on purpose, with love, with compassion, with intent, and without judgment. It is not meditation. When we are fully present with a child, we are curious about what they are thinking and feeling. Imagine looking through that lens when a child is misbehaving. Let’s get off of auto pilot and focus on the child. Laura talks about three zones that the brain can be in: The Red Zone Brain is reacting without thinking Threat detected In fight-or-flight state The Blue Zone Brain is reacting without thinking Threat detected In freeze state The Green Zone Brain is fully integrated Threat can still be detected Using planning, thoughtfulness, reasoning, emotional imbalance, attuned communication Does this sound familiar to you? What other trauma informed social-emotional learning and classroom management philosophy ties in with this? Just like Conscious Discipline, the objective of this method is to raise the child to the upstairs part of the brain – the prefrontal cortex. How do we add to their tool box to help them do this? Laura states there are two ways to do this: Asking open-ended questions can be an excellent alternative to correcting or redirecting. When we ask these questions it activates the upstairs part of the brain and helps the child develop the skills they need. By doing this, the teacher helps build and/or reinforce the connection she has with the child – they become partners. There may be times when a child is simply not in a place to consider open ended questions. When that occurs, Laura says to just be with the child and breathe until he is ready. She talks about Alternate Nostril Breathing. I can’t even begin to explain this technique to you – I simply could not get the hang of it. For more information about it, please Google it. If you do, let me know how it works for you. The second strategy is narrating/broadcasting/parallel talk when you are describing out loud what the child is doing/or what they might be thinking/feeling. (For those of you familiar with CLASS, this indicator is seen in the Language Modeling Domain.) One form of this strategy is Positive Descriptive Acknowledgement – PDA. When using this, the teacher describes the positive behavior that she observes and can at times connect it to a feeling: “Jeffrey and Robert, you are sharing the blocks, you look so happy to be sharing. Now you can build the tower that you talked about.” By doing this, how do you think these PDAs help a child develop a more positive attitude toward themselves, and even be more receptive to working with others? This statement by Laura resonated within me: Praise is like sugar. PDAs are like vegetables. When you say “Good Job” to a child, you are assuming that they know what you are talking about and it gives them a moment of happiness. When you use a PDA, the child knows exactly what they have done and they are acquiring the skill to move into the Green Zone, which is our ultimate goal. Imagine a classroom where children have the skills to stay in this zone! You can do it with the tools in your toolbox. I have faith in you! As I continue to participate in these virtual conferences, I too feel as if I am upgrading my software. I hope that you are too. Until next time, I wish you well. Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

Transition Tips & Tricks plus Totally Math | Dr. Jean Feldman | Transition Tips & Tricks plus Totally Math April 2016 Dr. Jean Feldman Handout (PDF) Workshop Photos Back

Rock, Rhyme, Write, and Read | Dr. Jean Feldman | Rock, Rhyme, Write, and Read January 2016 Dr. Jean Feldman Handout (PDF) Workshop Photos Back

Together we will gain an understanding of the key factors in investigating the root causes of success or fulfillment. Coach's Column Amanda Gooch February 1, 2024 Only two more days until literacy and early education advocate by day, and multi-platinum music star by night, Coy Bowles shares some pretty exciting things with us on Saturday, February 3rd. You are going to want to dust off your vocal cords as we sing and dance along with Coy when he presents “Connect to Your Calling.” Coy Bowles is probably best known as a guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter for the three-time Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band. However, off stage, he is a teacher and parent blazing trails in the world of early education. With five highly-praised children's books under his belt, Coy recently released an activity kit based around his hit book, Behind the Little Red Door, an unforgettable story of imagination and creativity. Together we will gain an understanding of the key factors in investigating the root causes of success or fulfillment. Participants will recognize the importance of the “Butterfly Phase/Window of Opportunity” for child development and the implications of that for teaching and learning. We will recognize the importance of an emotional and social foundation for every student and reflect on how connecting to our calling and sharing our origin story is crucial in regaining clarity, passion and purpose for being an early childhood educator. This is a friendly reminder that each organization represented at the workshop has an opportunity to receive Coy Bowles’ “Behind the Little Red Door Activity Kit” presented by Lakeshore Learning. Those organizations that will be receiving the kit are committing to follow up technical assistance that will include early childhood education coaching. The kit recipients are expected to utilize, implement and share the tools and resources they acquired from attending the workshop with their colleagues or local community. Examples might include: Lunch and learn at a staff meeting, share in professional learning communities or write a blog post to share their kit story on Childcare Resources website or newsletter. Every recipient to the workshop will go home with some coveted Lakeshore swag and one of Coy Bowles newest books. Behind the Little Red Door Kit Wishing you the best, Amanda & Todd Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

Support the creation of a state-of-the-art campus that empowers children, families, and educators in Indian River County. Transforming Tomorrow Building a Foundation for Lifelong Success Support the creation of a state-of-the-art campus that empowers children, families, and educators in Indian River County. Make a Difference Today The Time to Act is NOW The Transforming Tomorrow Campaign addresses urgent challenges facing our community by expanding access to life-changing high-quality early education and support for working families, therapeutic and wellness services to address development needs, and professional learning resources for educators. 55% of children enter kindergarten unprepared of families earn too much to qualify for assistance but cannot afford quality childcare 45% Real Lives Transformed by Your Support Nolan spent his first year of life living in a car. When he came to Childcare Resources at 18 months old, he could not crawl, walk or talk. He was dangerously behind in meeting his developmental milestones and his mother was deeply concerned for his future. Thanks to the teachers and therapists at Childcare Resources, Nolan received therapies tailored to his needs and spent every day in a nurturing environment. Today Nolan is walking, learning and discovering the world with curiosity and joy. His mother, empowered by CCR’s support, is rebuilding their future. “Childcare Resources didn’t just help my son – they gave me hope. They showed us what’s possible.” -Nolan’s Mom A Space Built to Impact The Transforming Tomorrow Campaign is a $14 million initiative which will expand enrollment by 64%, and will feature: An early childhood learning center with classrooms to serve infants through 2nd grade. Therapy and intervention spaces to meet the growing demand for physical, speech, occupational, and behavioral services. Outdoor sensory areas designed to foster creativity, exploration, and confidence. Professional learning facilities for training educators and raising the standard of care county-wide. Parent resources center connecting families with services that foster growth and stability. Make an Impact Today When you give to the Transforming Tomorrow Campaign, you're doing more than funding a new campus. You're creating a space where: Children grow and succeed. Families find hope and stability. Educators lead with confidence. “When children succeed, families flourish, and communities grow stronger. This new campus will be a cornerstone for our community, helping children and families reach their potential.” -Katy Block Healy, Steering Committee Chair Flexible Ways to Support the Campaign We offer multiple ways to give, allowing you to choose the option that best aligns with your goals. ONE-TIME GIFTS Make an immediate impact by donating via credit card, check, or online RECURRING GIFTS Provide sustained support through monthly or annual contributions GIFTS OF STOCK OR SECURITIES Maximize your tax benefits by donating appreciated assets PLANNED GIVING Create a lasting legacy with bequests, trusts, or other estate plan MATCHING GIFTS Double your impact by checking if your employer matches charitable donations For assistance with your gift, contact Monica Cheslak FAQ's Why is this campaign important? Childcare Resources has been a trusted leader in early childhood education in our community for more than 30 years. CCR is one of only 7% of early learning centers nationwide accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC). CCR’s expanded presence in Indian River County adds significantly to the quality of early childhood care available and greatly improves a child’s success in school and life. How will my gift be used? Your donation will fund the creation of classrooms, therapy spaces, and professional learning areas, ensuring that children, families, and educators have access to life-changing resources. How can I contribute? There are many ways to give—through one-time donations, recurring gifts, or planned giving. Learn more on our Ways to Give page. Can I make a recurring gift? Yes! Your monthly or annual contribution provides sustained support and is greatly appreciated. Are there tax benefits for my donation? Childcare Resources is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Report highlighting impacts of the 2021-2022 fiscal year 2021-2022 Impact Report Mission & Vision Childcare Resources Mission: To elevate and promote the highest quality early childhood development and education in Indian River County, focusing on economically challenged children and families. Childcare Resources Vision: All children and their families benefit from a high quality learning experience. Early Education Childcare Resources provides high-quality care at the Childcare Resources School and partnering centers. All centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children . Wellness & Early Intervention The Wellness & Early Intervention Program (WEIP) provides wellness and support services to program students and families. WEIP coordinates hearing and vision screenings , therapeutic services , individual care plans , assessments , and parent educational activities . WEIP also connects program families with community resources on an as-needed basis. Educator Outreach 190 educators (unduplicated) attended professional development workshops focused on intentional teaching and self-regulation. The coaching program responded to the needs of the community with a focus on quality, reaching 27 educators . The CREATE program provided opportunities for educators to achieve academic goals, serving 50 educators with a 90% course completion rate . Three director meetings provided 24 local directors with networking and educational opportunities.

So how do we discover a new approach to teaching that prioritizes play, child-led exploration, curiosity and wonder? Coach's Column Amanda Gooch January 1, 2024 How many of you are still talking about our last professional development day? For those of you who did not get an opportunity to attend, we welcomed Sally Haughey from Fairy Dust Teaching, now called Wunderled. We reset, rebooted, and refueled together as she unpacked her play-activated pathway model. Throughout the day we were able to find our true teaching heart and honor our gifts as an early childhood educator. Sally placed an emphasis on understanding brain science research around learning environments, children’s play, and why choice matters. The power of repetition and the beauty of everyday moments were explored as we learned to appreciate the small meaningful interactions in our work and reflect on the science behind care. Maitland Farms Preschool Early Educators reflected that the workshop was a “refreshing reminder that the magic of learning lies not in perfection, but in intention. When we encourage our student's curiosity by incorporating nature into our play, it sparks engagement, encourages exploration, and fuels a genuine interest in acquiring knowledge.” Together we can strive to curate new ideas, strategies and resources that will save us time and energy. If you are ready to teach with more ease and intention, click on the following link to explore more about Wunderled. Wunderled So how do we discover a new approach to teaching that prioritizes play, child-led exploration, curiosity and wonder? Discover dozens of creative Play Invitations to engage children and spark their imaginations that will: INCREASE engagement, creativity, and problem-solving skills. MORE joyful and playful learning environment. REDUCE prep time. You can learn more about play invitations by clicking on the following link: Wunderled Play Invitations It’s going to be an absolutely incredible time at our next professional development day. We welcome Coy Bowles from the Zack Brown Band as he presents “Connect to Your Calling” on Saturday February 3rd 2024. Just a friendly reminder, the workshop will be back at First Presbyterian McAfee Hall. Together we will gain an understanding of the key factors in investigating the root causes of success or fulfillment. Participants will recognize the importance of the “Butterfly Phase/Window of Opportunity” for child development and the implications of that for teaching and learning. We will recognize the importance of a social emotional foundation for every student and reflect on how connecting to our calling and sharing our origin story is crucial in regaining clarity, passion and purpose for being an early childhood educator. To learn more about Coy Bowles and how his successful musical career enabled him to create an advocacy platform for literacy, early education and teacher appreciation, click on the following link: Coy Bowles Each organization represented at the workshop has opportunity to receive Coy Bowles’ “Behind the Little Red Door Activity Kit” presented by Lakeshore Learning. Those organizations that will be receiving the kit are committing to follow up technical assistance that will include early childhood education coaching. The kit recipients are expected to utilize, implement and share the tools and resources they acquired from attending the workshop with their colleagues or local community. Examples might include: Lunch and learn at a staff meeting, share in professional learning communities or write a blog post to share their kit story on Childcare Resources website or newsletter. Within this kit, Coy Bowles, author and member of the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band, promotes social-emotional competence, creativity and storytelling with an all-in-one kit based on his book, Behind the Little Red Door. Featuring beautiful illustrations and lighthearted rhymes, the book shows what might be behind an intriguing red door—from a field of red flying foxes to a room that’s upside down. Kids discover it could be anything…if they just use their imaginations! The kit is packed with engaging materials, including a CD featuring 10 original songs written and performed by Coy himself. Plus, you get a storytelling board with 10 facial features and 25 storytelling pieces, skill-building activity cards, puzzles, books and more! All components store neatly in the custom-designed box. Little Red Door Activity Kit As always we thank you for your dedication and willingness to pour into the next generation through education as we elevate and promote the highest quality early childhood development and education in Indian River County. Wishing you the best, Amanda & Todd Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

Kimberly , Administrative Assistant, Childcare Resources School at Childcare Resources of Indian River Kimberly Martinez Administrative Assistant, Childcare Resources School Parent/Child Questions Joined Childcare Resources in Contact 772-567-3202 ext. 120 Back