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Monica Cheslak, Childcare Resources Director of Outreach and Program Services, recently attended the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee. With a mission of “gathering early childhood educators from around the globe to connect, collaborate, and learn together,” the conference is attended by thousands of early childhood education teachers, administrators, faculty, and staff. Featuring more than five hundred learning sessions on topics and issues within the early childhood education sector, the conference provided ample opportunity for educational training and collaboration. Cheslak expressed her perspective on the event, stating, “Attending the annual conference is a phenomenal way to connect with other early childhood leaders from around the country. The connections we make here inform the outreach opportunities Childcare Resources provides to early educators across Indian River County.” Among the distinguished attendees was Coy Bowles, the keynote speaker for Childcare Resources’ upcoming Starfest fundraiser. Best known as a member of the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band, Bowles is also a children’s book author, teacher, and advocate for early childhood education. “Really and truly, I’m a small-town country boy who was given an amazing opportunity to play in a very successful band, and with that I feel the responsibility to give back,” says Bowles. “My way of giving back is through teachers and kids, specifically early education. I think the backbone of the entire American infrastructure is built and rests on early educators.” Bowles is slated to speak at Starfest on Friday, February 2, 2024, at Riomar Country Club on his advocacy journey for early childhood education and perform a few of his original songs. Cheslak expressed enthusiasm, stating, “Knowing his commitment to early childhood education, Bowles will be a highlight at this year’s Starfest. We are thrilled to have him in Vero Beach to share his message.”

As Giving Tuesday, a Global Day of Generosity, draws near on November 28th, Childcare Resources of Indian River is excited to announce a remarkable opportunity for the community to make a significant impact. An anonymous donor has generously pledged to match up to $25,000 in donations made to Childcare Resources, doubling the support made for young children and their families. Since 1994, Childcare Resources has provided high-quality care and early education to children aged six weeks to five years from working, economically challenged families. The organization has grown through the decades from impacting around 100 children, to expanding their school and implementing robust programming that reaches thousands of children each year. Children and families also benefit from whole family support with the Wellness and Early Intervention Program, and local early childhood educators are provided with continued learning opportunities through coaching, training, and workshops with the Professional Development Program. Childcare Resources’ mission to deliver life-changing learning experiences for children and their families has been made possible due to the generous and devoted members of our community here along the Indian River. Together, Childcare Resources and community stakeholders can continue to create brighter futures for the young minds of the next generation. Giving Tuesday only comes around once a year. Help Childcare Resources cross the finish line strong and consider making a gift on November 28th.

“Many of us learned to be teachers in a world that did not recognize all of the differences in children and their lived experiences,” noted Dr. Tammy Pawloski at a recent Childcare Resources workshop. “Now, we know that brains are changing every second of every day. Brains are built, not born.” Why Poverty Matters, featuring Dr. Pawloski, Francis Marion University’s Director of the Center of Excellence for Teachers of Children of Poverty, was attended by nearly 100 early educators from across Indian River County. The workshop was funded by Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee and PNC Grow up Great, with additional support provided by Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company. Citing Indian River County’s 11.8% poverty rate, Dr. Pawloski focused on poverty’s significant impact on the brain. Though focusing on the traditional financial definition of poverty, she expanded the definition to mean lacking any of the resources needed to be successful including social, cognitive, physical, and emotional. In exploring how this lack of resources changes the developing brain, Dr. Pawloski also reaffirmed the value of high-quality early childhood education in remediating those deficits. “We can change the brain if we know what to do,” said Dr. Pawloski. “With everything you say, and in your classrooms, you are building your students’ brains. When the lightbulb goes on, you did that. You are a brain builder.” In addition to providing those brain-building learning experiences, Dr. Pawloski emphasized the value of building relationships with students and their families. Noting that classroom disruptions were reduced by 31% when students had a strong relationship with their teacher, she further connected it to future success, referencing a study in which nine out of ten people believed their path out of poverty could be traced back to a single relationship with a key person like a teacher or a coach. “Building strong relationships between parents and children can help improve children’s mental health and academic performance,” said Marilyn, a local four-year-old teacher in attendance. “Providing parents with resources and support to improve their parenting skills can help them create a nurturing environment for their children.”

Childcare Resources recently brought together community stakeholders and supporters for From the Secret Service to Securing Schools, an informational event hosted at Riomar County Club. Featuring former secret service agent Jason Russell, the Founder and President of Secure Education Consultants, the event highlighted Russell’s work over the past decade in helping schools and childcare centers to develop security plans. In 2015, Childcare Resources worked with Russell to help enhance and implement a deeper security plan for its school, staff, and children, and were thrilled to be able to bring him back to speak with the community. “You want schools to stay schools with a learning environment conducive to that,” said Russell. “But you also want safety and security to operate, and you want it be a big priority.” Russell and Secure Education Consultants strive to build environments in which children are safe, secure, loved, and inspired to learn. “Communication is key,” Russell noted. “I was going into childcare centers and asking teachers what they would do in a crisis. Most didn’t know.” Because of this, Russell has made it his mission to prepare teachers. The morning after this month’s event, Russell instructed a security training and emergency preparedness seminar for all of Childcare Resources’ teachers and staff. As difficult as it can be to discuss, Russell communicated the importance of emergency protocols and the need for active-shooter training for schools. “Our kids and our teachers are dealing with a different landscape,” said Russell. “But the coolest thing about my job, is that when I start training teachers, I can see their protective instincts rise, only stronger.”

Elizabeth Swann, Ph D, Childcare Resources Higher Education Program Facilitator, recently attended the One Goal conference in Tampa. With the theme Building the Future Together, the conference brought together more than 900 early education providers and leaders from across the state of Florida. “Hearing firsthand what opportunities the federal landscapes have for our early education teachers allows me to bring this knowledge into our current programming for teachers and directors,” said Dr, Swann. “I was also able to witness and support our Indian River State College faculty in their impressive, sold-out conference sessions.” The Childcare Resources Higher Education Program partners with institutions including Indian River State College (IRSC) to provide local early childhood educators the opportunity to earn a credential or degree relevant to their profession. IRSC Early Childhood Education adjuncts and active partners in the Higher Education Program Rachael Moshman and Juelanne Perry presented sold-out sessions as part of the conference’s Mental Health/Managing Behaviors learning track, with both presenters noting the importance of stress management for teachers and students alike. “Over 75% of teachers reported chronic stress,” said Moshman, who presented Laughing in the face of stress: A practical guide to Laughter Yoga. Perry, who presented Self-Active Play as a form of Self-Care, noted that “Self-active play with freely chosen, open-ended, process-based materials allows players to rest and rejuvenate through the creative process of play.” In addition to supporting Higher Education Program partners, Dr. Swann found valuable resources regarding the changes in the Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (TEACH) program. Funded by the Florida Office of Early Learning, TEACH provides financial support for early childhood educators working towards earning credentials or a degree in early childhood education. Dr. Swann remarked, “By being afforded this opportunity to learn about the latest changes to the TEACH scholarship, I am now more informed and a better support for our community’s early educators and center directors.” For more information on earning a credential or degree in early childhood education, please visit ChildcareResourcesIR.org/advance.

Local early educators are gearing up once more to meet for an evening of laughter and collective learning at Childcare Resources of Indian River. Community of Practice, an integral part of Childcare Resources’ early educator coaching program, will bring together a small group of devoted teachers of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to engage in collaborative learning while also offering a support network for the challenges each face in the classroom. These monthly meetings, funded through Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee, will be hosted by Childcare Resources Early Education Coach Todd Morrow. A retired public-school principal, Mr. Morrow understands how crucial each educator’s role is. “Early educators are some of the most important teachers out there because they’re building a foundation for what’s to come,” he noted. Mr. Morrow wants the Community of Practice meetings to feel like family get-togethers, allowing the educators to get to know one another while brainstorming, so that they will return to their classrooms instilled with fresh insight. Cognitive and language development will be a primary focus at this year’s meetings. “It all has to do with the interactions between teacher and child, and between child and child,” he explained. “Bringing these interactions and conversations up to a higher level is essential for each child’s growth.” Mr. Morrow hopes to individually visit each educator’s classroom between Community of Practice meetings in order to observe, motivate, and encourage. “I can guarantee you that these educators will leave with intentional plans that have been created utilizing the knowledge-base and experience of everyone in the group.”

“Neurodiversity, if you take it apart, means brain difference,” said Kristen Balhoff, Conscious Discipline Instructor. “Neurodiversity is the view that all brains have variation, and this is natural.” Nearly 150 local early childhood educators explored neurodiversity in a recent Childcare Resources professional development workshop. Funded by Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee and PNC, the training opportunity enabled educators to learn how to better support all the students in their classrooms through the use of Conscious Discipline. This was the tenth Conscious Discipline workshop presented by Childcare Resources since 2015. Conscious Discipline is a classroom-management system that empowers teachers to help children find academic success by using responsive relationships to develop a foundation of connection and security. An adult-first practice, Conscious Discipline emphasizes the importance of teachers modeling the behavior they wish to see in their students. “In Conscious Discipline, we know that the only person you can change is yourself”, said Balhoff. “We can’t teach the skills we don’t have.” Using experiences from her own parenting journey with Conscious Discipline, Balhoff explored how to support neurodiversity in the classroom by building safety, predictability, and structure. Through the implementation of routines, Conscious Discipline fosters problem-solving skills and emotional learning, which supports academic learning and overall wellbeing for all students. “I learned so many facts about neurodiversity,” said Cathryn, a local elementary school teacher in attendance. “The strategies to help children in the classroom would be beneficial for all students.”

Childcare Resources Early Education Coach Amanda Gooch recently achieved certification as an Early Learning Certified Coach from the University of Florida’s Lastinger Center. Established in 2002, the Lastinger Center seeks to improve the quality of teaching, learning, and childcare. Developed for early childhood leaders, the eight-month job-embedded certificate program kicks off with a multi-day intensive institute. Following the institute, monthly virtual sessions focus on high-impact, teacher-centered coaching. To help coaches better support early educators in the classroom, the program is divided into ten modules that explore the fundamentals of coaching. The modules include topics like developing and nurturing relationships, setting goals, modeling effective practice, collecting and using data, how to conduct coaching conversations, and providing effective feedback. “Through obtaining my coaching certification, I have gained skills to deliver high-impact teacher-centered coaching support,” says Gooch, who conducted 305 site visits with twelve local early childhood educators during the last academic year. “The certification has also given the educators I work with peace of mind that they are working with a certified coach.” Since 2016, the Childcare Resources Early Education Coaching program has impacted the community by connecting experienced educators with preschool teachers from local centers to provide technical assistance and help with classroom challenges. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the coaching program conducted a total of 534 site visits at early education centers in Indian River County. “Amanda was a huge help to me as a director,” noted one coaching client. “Amanda is so knowledgeable in this field. I am greatly appreciative of her time and expertise.”

The Childcare Resources School recently renewed its accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). A voluntary process for preschools, NAEYC accreditation is a rigorous multi-year undertaking that requires documentation, self-reflection, and ongoing quality improvement. The process culminates in an on-site appraisal by an independent assessor. “NAEYC-Accredited programs have committed to a process that takes time, energy and dedication to complete,” states Alissa Mwenelupembe, NAEYC Senior Director Early Learning Program Accreditation. “Childcare Resources has demonstrated their commitment to young children and their families.” First launched in 1985, NAEYC accreditation is a widely-recognized indicator of a high-quality early learning program. Accreditation standards are backed by current child development research and encompass all aspects of early childhood education including areas which support the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and language development of young children. Fewer than ten percent of preschools nationwide obtain this high accolade of accreditation with NAEYC. “Renewing our accreditation affirms so many things about our program,” says Tara Beard, Childcare Resources School Director. “It indicates that we use a developmentally-appropriate curriculum, employ well-trained teachers, use quality materials, and provide a healthy classroom environment.” The Childcare Resources School first earned NAEYC accreditation in 2013 and successfully renewed the accreditation in 2018. The most recent renewal is good through 2028, during which time Childcare Resources will continue to provide the highest quality early childhood development and education. “I am so proud of our teachers and our school staff,” says Shannon McGuire Bowman, Childcare Resources Executive Director. “Their hard work and their constant dedication to quality ensures that Childcare Resources provides the best possible educational opportunities for the children and families we serve.”

Childcare Resources is currently accepting applications for enrollment of three- and four-year-old children for the 2023-2024 school year. The nonprofit organization has provided high-quality early education to Indian River County families for nearly thirty years. “We strive to provide early education that is both affordable and of the highest quality,” says Shannon McGuire Bowman, Executive Director. “We also provide wellness and, when needed, early intervention services including on-site therapy during the school day. Childcare Resources is committed to ensuring that our students and their families have all the resources they need to thrive.” To ensure quality, the Childcare Resources School and all partnering schools have earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This achievement is accomplished by fewer than ten percent of preschools nationwide. “From the school staff to the class families, I have received so much encouragement and support,” says Kayeshia, a recent program parent. “Childcare Resources helped my child find a home away from home.” To be eligible for the Childcare Resources program, parents or guardians must live in Indian River County and work or attend school full-time. Additionally, income guidelines apply and can be found on the Childcare Resources website. For more information, or to complete a preliminary application, please visit ChildcareResourcesIR.org/application or contact Lisa Gonzalez with any questions by calling 772-567-3202 extension 113.

“Tonight is about celebrating the successes of the past year, but also about looking forward,” said Jennifer Peshke, newly elected Chair of the Childcare Resources Board of Directors, as she addressed the gathered supporters. “Our programs are only meaningful when they are successful.” The celebration of the year’s successes opened with a performance by the Childcare Resources School’s five-year-old class. Students recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang multiple songs. To close the performance, each student introduced themselves and were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, delighting the crowd with answers ranging from “a teacher” to “a dinosaur.” Following the soon-to-be graduates, outgoing Board chair Jim Beindorf presented the accomplishments of the past year including the success of the recent Starfest luncheon, the nearly four dozen educators enrolled in the organization’s higher education program, and the return of school volunteers to classrooms. “Our program has grown to serve 159 children directly, and impact nearly 3,000 through our outreach programs,” said Jim Beindorf, highlighting the organization’s impact on the community. Peshke introduced three new members of the Board of Directors: Shala Edwards, Executive Director of Treasure Coast Girls Coalition, Megan Knurr, Vice President and Senior Wealth Advisor at Northern Trust, and Casey Lunceford, Executive Director of Gifford Youth Orchestra. They join the current Directors in guiding Childcare Resources in support of the organization’s mission to elevate and promote the highest quality early childhood development and education in Indian River County, focusing on economically challenged children and families. Emphasizing the theme of looking forward, Peshke also outlined the large projects Childcare Resources will be taking on over the coming months, including a strategic visioning initiative and a collaboration with the University of Florida Lastinger Center. Both projects will help Childcare Resources define the ongoing success of the organization’s whole child development model. “Childcare Resources is committed to maintaining our programming for children, families, and educators throughout the county,” said Peshke. “We’ve been fortunate to have plenty of success.”

Childcare Resources is pleased to announce a collaboration with the Early Learning Coalition of Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. The program will provide teachers with intensive training and coaching in the areas of Instructional Leadership and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). Teachers participating in this program impact nearly 200 children ages four and five across Indian River County. “The Early Learning Coalition is pleased to partner with Childcare Resources to support early childhood educators,” said Marsha B. Powers, Chief Executive Officer of the Early Learning Coalition. “Our community, especially our children, benefits from having high-quality childcare choices available and this starts with our teachers.” To assist with the program, Childcare Resources has hired Todd Morrow, an early childhood education coach and former elementary school principal with 30 years of experience in education. Focusing on Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) classrooms serving four- and five-year-old students, Morrow will meet with classroom teachers and center directors weekly for in-depth training and discussion of each CLASS indicator. Between meetings, on-site coaching will help educators implement new skills while enhancing existing strengths. Topics examined in the program include promoting positive interactions, classroom organization, and curriculum implementation. “I love the role I play in providing direct support to teachers, directors and children in their own classrooms,” said Morrow. “As teachers and directors become more aware of the CLASS dimensions and strategies, the better they will be at their craft and the more confident they will be in themselves.” Required by Florida’s Office of Early Learning for early education providers that participate in the statewide School Readiness or VPK programs, CLASS evaluates the quality of a teacher’s interactions with students. High-quality interactions, as evaluated by CLASS, have been linked to better student outcomes in both math and reading. Current research indicates that these advantages persist for several years. “We are so pleased to collaborate with the Early Learning Coalition,” said Shannon McGuire Bowman, Childcare Resources Executive Director, “This partnership truly supports our mission to elevate and promote the highest quality early childhood development and education in Indian River County.”