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Childcare Resources’ (CCR) Higher Education Program recently held a luau-themed celebration in honor of three spring graduates. The program partners with accredited colleges and universities across Florida to offer credential and degree pathways to local early childhood educators. “Michelle, Yenni, and Randee have worked hard and shown determination in the pursuit of lifelong learning,” says CCR Higher Education Program Degree Specialist Stephanie Harmody. “In the spring semester, that hard work culminated in the successful completion of a college degree.” Michelle Feliciano, a teacher at Asbury UMC Academy, earned her Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Indian River State College. “Inquiry and observation are keys to learning,” says Debbie Kohuth, Dean of School of Education, Indian River State College. “Indian River State College congratulates and commends Michelle Feliciano on earning her degree.” Yenni Kristianson, a teacher with Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County Head Start, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Florida Gateway College. “Yenni was an amazing student,” says Dr. Sharron Cuthbertson, Associate Professor, Early Childhood Educator at Florida Gateway College. “She showed so much growth and shared her knowledge with fellow classmates.” Randee Bok, Prevention Intervention Specialist, Early Learning Programs of the School District of Indian River County, earned her Master of Education, Early Childhood Education Leadership, from the University of North Florida. “Throughout the program, Randee’s experience and thoughtful responses positively impacted her classmates’ learning,” says Dr. Katrina Hall, Associate Professor, Department of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum, University of North Florida. In the 2023-2024 academic year, forty-nine local educators participated in the CCR Higher Education Program. Throughout the year, participants work one-on-one with program staff to navigate enrollment, registration, and coursework. The program also provides study hall, resources, and enrichment activities. Over seven academic years, the CCR Higher Education Program has supported a total of 241 credential, degree, and certificate completions.

Earlier this month, Childcare Resources School celebrated Week of the Young Child alongside 60,000 early childhood education advocates nationwide. A week filled with special learning experiences and themed days, Week of the Young Child was established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) more than fifty years ago and is based on raising awareness for the importance of early childhood education and development. The NAEYC-accredited Childcare Resources School highlighted the learning and growth of children with developmentally appropriate activities that strived to engage students in fun and creative ways. During Bubble Day children were immersed in sensory play and were introduced to concepts like surface tension. Developmental benefits of bubble play include visual tracking and fine motor skills, both important lessons in coordination, body awareness and postural control. Messy Art Day encouraged children to harness creativity and collaboration through outdoor art projects, while Wacky Wednesday emphasized their critical thinking as children dressed up to learn concepts such as compare and contrast. “Week of the Young Child was such a great experience for our school to come together as a school family and celebrate early education,” said Sadie Collet, Childcare Resources Assistant School Director. “It was great to see all the families participating in each day’s theme. Our families and volunteers who visited the school throughout the week were able to see how we implement the NAEYC standards as well as our curriculum in fun and engaging ways.” By celebrating the Week of the Young Child, Childcare Resources is proving their dedication in ensuring that early childhood education and development is in the spotlight. The special play-based activities held throughout the week aid students at Childcare Resources to develop critical-thinking, problem-solve, make decisions, and be creative, and reminds our community of the importance of learning through play during these early years.

The Annual Meeting of Childcare Resources of Indian River was a night of celebration and recognition. Guests gathered under a tent on the campus front lawn and were treated to a performance by the Childcare Resources’ VPK students to commemorate the organization’s 30th anniversary. “Tonight is about 30 years of growth and success, but also about looking forward,” said Tracy Sorzano, newly elected President of the Childcare Resources Board of Directors, as she addressed supporters. “Not only has your commitment to heightening programming for children, families, and educators in our community made a great impact over the years, but your continued support allows us to persist in our mission for years to come.” The past year has seen tremendous success for Childcare Resources, including the recent Starfest luncheon and evening event, the nearly four dozen educators enrolled in the organization’s higher education program, and the continued dedication of school volunteers in classrooms. “Our programs impacted nearly 4,000 children throughout Indian River County,” said former Board Chair Jim Beindorf, highlighting the organization’s significance. Sorzano introduced four new members of the Board of Directors: Kelly Baysura, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at the School District of Indian River County, TP Kennedy, fourth-generation Vero Beach native and real estate agent, Melissa Shine, insurance agent with Sterling Seacrest Pritchard, and Gerri Smith, former Vice President of northern campus Florida Atlantic University. 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. Looking forward, Sorzano outlined the large projects Childcare Resources is currently engaged with, 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. Joy Lambert, longtime supporter of Childcare Resources, capped off the evening perfectly. “To think that this entire idea started around a kitchen table and has grown to what it is today is incredible! The impact on our community that Childcare Resources has enacted never seizes to amaze me.”

"You are going to save a kid’s life in the next month,” said presenter Coy Bowles at a recent Childcare Resources professional development workshop. “The love you give your students now will impact that day when they’re thirteen or thirty-five and carry them through.” Bowles, a musician, author, and early learning advocate, spoke to more than 130 early childhood educators representing nearly three dozen local schools and centers. The half-day workshop, funded by Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee and PNC Grow Up Great Foundation with additional support provided by Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company, asked attendees to connect to their calling as educators and reinforced the foundational skills learned in the early years. “Conversation, communication, and social skills are of the utmost importance,” emphasized Bowles as he discussed foundational skills. “Every kid needs to understand how they feel and how to communicate it.” Bowles’ presentation was punctuated by live performances including his song ‘Coming Home,’ which sparked a conga line. Mid-morning, four local early educators shared their origin stories with the audience. During this emotional segment, each educator touched on what had called them to the profession, the challenges they had faced along the way, and the support they had received that carried them through the difficult times. “I enjoyed being reminded that every teacher has a story,” noted Ashley Kazen, Director of Maitland Farm Preschool. “It made me think about my own story and why I show up every day.”

Childcare Resources, a leading advocate for early childhood development and education in Indian River County, is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous gift of $25,000 from the Indian River Community Foundation’s Community Enrichment Fund. This contribution will be allocated to support the Conscious Discipline program. Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive emotional intelligence and classroom management system that integrates all domains of learning into the curriculum, supporting children’s behavioral well-being and academic success. Conscious Discipline facilitates opportunities for teachers and students to build their developmental competence throughout the course of the year through direct, purposeful, and meaningful rituals and interactions. Amanda Gooch, Childcare Resources Early Education Coach, visits Conscious Discipline partner sites weekly, seeing firsthand its impact. “The program is inspiring resilience education in our community, while supporting transformational change in classrooms,” she said. “With the Conscious Discipline Immersion Program’s ongoing training and support in creating emotionally safe classrooms, there has been a significant positive impact on student behavior and academic achievement.” In its seventh collaborative year, the Conscious Discipline Immersion Program continues to guide participating organizations, including Childcare Resources, Bridges Early Learning Center, Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County HeadStart, Little Rising Stars Creative Learning Center, Roseland Christian Preschool, and School District of Indian River County - Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten. Children's sense of safety and connection within the classroom is paramount for optimal learning readiness. Emotional intelligence and resilience, crucial factors in children's development and school readiness, are nurtured through Conscious Discipline. Research indicates that children equipped with identifying emotions, positive peer relations, effective behavioral management, and collaborative work demonstrate enhanced success in the transition to school and academic performance in kindergarten and beyond.

Childcare Resources Child-Parent Engagement Night, an interactive and fun evening of promoting growth and learning, saw its school campus bustling with excitement as 108 families participated in activities. The event centered around the principles of cooperation, connection, and problem-solving, providing families with valuable opportunities to engage with early educators. Participants gained insights into various methods aimed at nurturing healthy communication, both within the classroom and at home. Tara Beard, School Director at Childcare Resources, emphasized the significance of Child-Parent Engagement Night in building strong relationships between families and their child's teachers. "The bridge we create between home and school, forming our school family, establishes connections that are crucial for the optimal development of all involved." Throughout the evening, parents and students explored different classrooms, participating in collaborative project stations.  Tara Beard expressed, "Each classroom featured enjoyable make-and-take activities designed for families to continue fostering the vital connection between home and school." One standout activity, known as The Kindness Tree, involved children attaching cut-out hearts to a paper-constructed tree, symbolizing various kinds of acts within the classroom. Adding to the festivities, The Learning Alliance, a valued community partner, brought their Moonshot Reading Rocket school bus. Educators from The Learning Alliance engaged families in a "Sing, Read, Repeat" literacy session, reading the book Old MacDonald Had a Farm to the children. Childcare Resources’ Child-Parent Engagement Night strives to provide unique educational resources to parents and highlights the importance of family involvement in early childhood education. As Sadie Collet, Assistant Director of Childcare Resources school, explained, “It is wonderful for families to be hands-on in their child’s educational journey. Recognizing the challenges faced by working families, we plan many opportunities throughout the year for parent engagement ensuring all families can benefit from these special experiences.”

Demonstrating the true spirit of community and compassion, Childcare Resources of Indian River recently witnessed an outpouring of holiday generosity from local businesses and organizations. This collective effort resulted in an abundance of holiday presents for over 115 students from Childcare Resources, Community Preschool, and Learning Nest, ensuring a joyous holiday season for all recipients. For over a decade, the Childcare Resources Wishlist program has gathered generous donations of gifts for Childcare Resources program students. This initiative plays a crucial role in alleviating the financial strain on parents and creating a magical holiday experience for children. The generous donations were collected by the Childcare Resources Program Committee, responsible for organizing the gifts. The third week of December sees families arriving to pick up the carefully compiled presents. Christine Hammarskjold, Childcare Resources Board of Director, and a dedicated member of the Program Committee who has volunteered for the Wishlist program for the past two years, shared her enthusiasm: “It is one of my favorite Vero Beach charitable activities. After collecting all the gifts, we wear festive hats and become Santa’s elves. We review each child’s wish list, then sort and compile toys, books, and clothing for each child to ensure an over joyous Christmas morning.” Childcare Resources extends heartfelt gratitude to this year’s Wishlist donors, whose generosity has made a significant impact on the community. Special thanks to Bent Pine Country Club, Community Church of Vero Beach, First Service Residential, Jackson and Glenda Floyd, The Law Offices of Jennifer D. Peske, John’s Island Community Condominium Services, PNC Private Bank, Riomar Country Club, Treasure Coast Pilot Club, and Vero Beach Country Club Ladies Golf members. Parents eagerly shared their excitement, emphasizing the impact of the community’s support. One mother of 23-month-old twins and a three-year-old said, “It means so much to be able to give Christmas gifts to my boys. As a working family, this helps more than you can imagine.” Another grateful parent commented, “My daughter is four, and this may be her favorite Christmas yet. She is so excited to see what Santa brings, and your gift helped us create the magic of Christmas!”

“The foundation of play-activated learning is who you are,” said presenter Sally Haughey to more than 100 early educators at a recent Childcare Resources workshop. “At the end of the day, all that matters is your relationship to the child. The children need to see you, fully present with them.” Representing thirty-nine local schools and centers across Indian River County, the attending educators joined Haughey in creative activities, discussion, and educational practice. Funded by the Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee and PNC, this professional development workshop allowed attendees to discover the value of play and the meaning behind the classroom environment. Haughey, the CEO and Founder of Wunderled, formerly known as Fairy Dust Teaching, explored how to bring play-based educational practices into the classroom. Building upon an Educator Identity Model, Haughey asked each participant to explore their pedagogy by examining their personal mission, vision, and what it is about teaching that brings joy. “Pedagogy is comprised of three things: my principles, my practices, and my perspectives,” said Haughey. “How you relate to the children in your classroom is unique to you.” Following the introspective journey, Haughey moved from the head to the hands, discussing practical methods of empowering learning environments and supporting children’s play through Play Mapping. A Play Map uses observation to document the physical actions and overall topics of children’s play. This documentation can help an educator better support play-activated learning and determine the next steps in the educational process. “I feel that learning more about how to apply Play Mapping into our daily classroom program can be beneficial on many levels,” said local center director Traci Lawson-Harrell. “This training was an amazing look at the benefits of documenting a child's hard work through play.”

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.”