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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.”

Childcare Resources recently celebrated Week of the Young Child alongside 60,000 early childhood education advocates nationwide. Established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) more than fifty years ago, Week of the Young Child recognizes that a child’s earliest years build a foundation for later successes. At the NAEYC-accredited Childcare Resources School, the week featured developmentally-appropriate activities for students that supported learning in a fun way. Students engaged in sensory play and explored science with bubbles on Bubble Day. Messy Art Day encouraged creativity and collaboration through open-ended art projects. Pajama Day showcased literacy activities featuring Anna Dewdney's picture book Llama, Llama, Red Pajama. By dressing up for Wacky Day, students began to develop the critical thinking skills that lead to big concepts like compare and contrast. “Week of the Young Child is such an important week during the school year,” said School Director Tara Beard. “During the preschool years, children learn through play. The special play-based activities during this week help our students develop critical-thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and creative skills.”

“More than anything, we all want to be seen,” said Rhonda J. Meyers, M Ed at a recent Childcare Resources professional development workshop. “It takes time to truly feel like we’re heard.” Meyers, who serves on the governing board of the Michigan Assocation for the Education of Young Children and is owner of Heartfelt Impressions Learning Center in Lake Orion, Michigan, came to Vero Beach to discuss how to implement family engagement and staff appreciation practices to help those that support children connect and thrive. On the evening before the workshop, more than a dozen local center directors met with Meyers to discuss their core values and how to build a workplace culture that supports all employees. In Saturday’s workshop, funded by Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Committee and PNC, Meyers explored family and community engagement with approximately 75 educators from twenty-five local centers including Head Start and the School District of Indian River County. “Involvement is when we make efforts to get parents to participate,” explained Meyers. “It changes to engagement when we start building that relationship with families. It has to be meaningful.” Later in the day, Meyers explained the five languages of appreciation, a concept developed by Gary Chapman and Paul White that enables authentic and thoughtful appreciation in the workplace. Two of Meyers’ staff members joined the workshop in an interactive virtual appearance. “I enjoyed learning the value of intentional, meaningful appreciation for staff, children, parents and the surrounding community's role in the program,” said one educator in attendance. “Coming together as a community is a great thing, and we should do it more often.”

Childcare Resources is currently accepting applications for enrollment of children six weeks to five years for the 2023-2024 school year. A nonprofit organization, Childcare Resources offers subsidized high-quality childcare at the Childcare Resources School and partnering schools throughout the county. All program schools are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a mark of quality achieved by fewer than ten percent of preschools nationwide. “The care provided by Childcare Resources is both affordable and of the highest quality,” says Shannon McGuire Bowman, Executive Director. “Families in our program are also provided with wellness and early intervention services, including on-site therapy, to ensure that our students have the resources they need to thrive.” To be eligible for the Childcare Resources program, families must live in Indian River County. Adults in the home must work or attend school full-time. Additional income guidelines apply and can be found on the Childcare Resources website. “I wish every parent and child could experience the benefits of what quality early education does,” says Abby, a program parent. “I’m so thankful my daughter was able to attend Childcare Resources.” 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.

Thank you for taking the time to read the Childcare Resources Connection eNewsletter! In this Spring 2023 edition, you will read an amazing success story from one of our program parents, learn how we are advancing the careers of local early childhood educators, and see highlights from our annual event, Starfest. We hope you find these stories uplifting and inspiring! Thank you for making all of this possible. Building Bright Futures Your generosity helped a local family develop the skills needed for success! Almost a decade ago, Maileigh was in desperate need of childcare. She was a full-time student, finishing a Licensed Practical Nursing program, and she needed a place for her four-month-old daughter, Ava. When she discovered Childcare Resources, Maileigh was excited to enroll in a high-quality year-round program. Read more of Maileigh's story! Advancing the field & studying success! “Thank you for the help you give to everyone that wants to pursue their dream.” When Kayte first applied for a substitute teaching position at Learning Nest, she didn’t know that she had found her new career. As a new teacher looking for support, Kayte quickly found Childcare Resources’ outreach programs. “I was a young mom, and school seemed out of the question for me many years ago,” says Kayte. Read more of Kayte's story! Seen at Starfest Thank you for supporting early childhood education for children in our community! Read more about Starfest!