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Annual report for the 2021-2022 fiscal year 2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT: The Story of Your Support top FINANCES THE STORY OF YOUR SUPPORT THANK YOU! DOWNLOAD PDF MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR To our generous supporters, thank you for investing in Childcare Resources over the past 28 years, to which I’m honored to say ten of those I have shared with you as Executive Director. Because of your generosity, we can ensure the availability and affordability of high-quality early education and care, provide whole family support, and provide continued learning opportunities for early childhood educators in Indian River County. There is so much to be grateful for and your support is at the top of the list! When I first started at Childcare Resources a decade ago, I knew we had something special here, something that every child and family would benefit from. We have been able to grow the organization from impacting around 100 children, to expanding our space and implementing robust programming that reaches nearly 3,000 children each year. That is a big deal for our community, and could not happen without you! I feel pride and excitement as I look back at the last decade, but even more, as I look ahead to what can be accomplished in the next decade. Our Board of Directors and other key advisors have been planning for the future and set the bar high for Childcare Resources as we pursue our goal of increasing the quality of early childhood education throughout Indian River County, and beyond. Thank you for making this critical work possible by investing in Childcare Resources, and ultimately investing in the future of our community. Together, we can change a generation of children, one year at a time! Warm regards, Shannon McGuire Bowman, MEd, MA, CFRE Executive Director Above: In 2013 Below: In 2022 2021 - 2022 FINANCIAL SUMMARY finances REVENUE $3,557,163 Grants 43% Contributions 34% Parent Tuition 11% Special Events 6% Other 6% EXPENSES $2,847,123 Childcare Resources School 63% Contracting Centers 12% Fundraising 10% Management & General 7% Outreach 5% Family Support 3% Summary of the audited June 30, 2022 financial statements prepared by Jacoby & Handley, PLLC. A copy of the audited financial statements is available upon request. The Story of Your Support story "Without you, I would not have been able to afford such great care for my boys!" -Program Parent 777 HOURS OF THERAPY CONDUCTED ON THE CHILDCARE RESOURCES CAMPUS THIS YEAR You write a story of educating children Through your support, Childcare Resources provides a spectrum of early childhood education services that benefit the entire community. It starts with providing high-quality, nationally-accredited care to children from across Indian River County. But it doesn't end there... When a student is in need of additional services or resources, the Wellness and Early Intervention Program (WEIP) jumps in to coordinate assessments and therapeutic services. Students can receive occupational, speech, and other therapies during the school day. "I wouldn't be able to attend school and work full-time if it weren't for you. I am eternally grateful for you!" -Program Parent CHILDCARE RESOURCES PROVIDED CHILDCARE FOR EMPLOYEES OF 115 LOCAL BUSINESSES. You write a story of supporting families WEIP also assists program families, connecting parents and caregivers with local resources to ensure that basic needs are met. Through this support, program families in need have been able to secure housing, furniture, food, and more. In addition, parents and families stay involved with their child’s education through volunteer service and participation. As a result of your help, Childcare Resources provides training and engagement opportunities for program families. "I am so happy to be given the opportunity to reach my goal of becoming a teacher and helping children learn and grow. Thank you for all of your help!" -CREATE Program Graduate 2,916 CHILDREN IMPACTED BY CHILDCARE RESOURCES PROGRAMS THIS YEAR You write a story of strengthening a community Through your generosity, Childcare Resources provides training to local educators, too. One-on-one coaching, intense training, and opportunities in higher education work together to help local early childhood educators accomplish their own goals and become more effective in the classroom. Your support enables effective teachers, supported families, and individualized care to provide the life-changing impacts of quality early education. Together, we are changing our community one child at a time. BACK TO TOP Thank you! thankyou Pinnacle Scholars ($10,000 and above) BACK TO TOP Bernard Egan Foundation Mrs. Susan Blaxill-Deal and Mr. Scott Deal Mr. and Mrs. Dick Brickman Mr. and Mrs. David K. Brower Mr. and Mrs. Richard Burgoon Mrs. James L. Currie David E. Retik and Christopher D. Mello Foundation Davis Family Fund The Educational Foundation of America Mr. and Mrs. H. James Field, Jr. Grand Harbor Community Outreach Mr. and Mrs. Richard Haverland Head, Heart and Hands of Indian River Club Mr. and Mrs. John Hendricks Mr. and Mrs. Albert Horton Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Hultquist Ms. Susan Hunter and Mr. Douglas Watson Indian River Community Foundation Indian River County Children's Services Advisory Committee Indian River County Hospital District Jake Owen Foundation John's Island Community Service League Kelsey Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Hal Lambert Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lee Matthew J. & Anne B. Smith Foundation Quail Valley Charities, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. John Spooner Ms. Helen Sarah Steyer Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Steyer Syde Hurdus Foundation, Inc. Ms. Linda Terry and Mr. David Utz United Way of Indian River County Walter S. Johnson Foundation Grand Scholars ($5,000 to $9,999) BACK TO TOP Mr. and Mrs. Donald Barr Mr. and Mrs. Sam Bell Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Buhl Mr. and Mrs. George Fetterolf Four-Four Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Glazer Ms. Nancy Hopwood J. M. Hopwood Charitable Trust Mrs. Kathleen Johnston Leo and Yuki Graham Foundation Ms. Wanda Lincoln Mr. and Mrs. Bob Martin Minotty Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Guy Mitchell Mr. John P. Moran Mr. and Mrs. Stephan Newhouse PNC Foundation Pyles Family Grant Fund Mr. Donald Riefler Mr. and Mrs. Randall Rogers The Sharaja Foundation Stork Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jack Veeneman Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Young Master Scholars ($2,500 to $4,999) BACK TO TOP Mr. Brian Baker Mr. and Mrs. Sam Block Mrs. Mary Sue Brown Elizabeth D. Black Fund Mr. and Mrs. Jackson C. Floyd Mr. J. C. Hanks Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hughes John's Island Club Members John's Island Real Estate Company Ms. Linda Lemmon and Mr. Denis Conlon Mrs. Gerard Lynch The M&T Charitable Foundation Ms. Kathryn Marshall Mr. and Mrs. William Munn Ms. Jill F. Murphy PNC Financial Services Group Puff Family Fund Mr. and Mrs. David Pyles Mr. and Mrs. Gene Waddell Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Waddell Mr. and Mrs. Allen Zern Scholars ($1,000 to $2,499) BACK TO TOP Ms. Clare Amato Mrs. Lois W. Appleby Ms. Jane Austin Captain and Mrs. Steve Bailey Mr. and Mrs. Brian Barefoot Ms. Christine Barry Bart's Blue Star Foundation Mr. and Mrs. William Becker Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Berghorst Ms. Janie Binnion Mrs. Colleen R. Bowman Mr. John Bowman and Mrs. Shannon McGuire Bowman Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Brashears Mr. and Mrs. William Brewster Mr. and Mrs. David Brown Mr. and Mrs. Willie Bullock The Community Church of Vero Beach David and Robin Ryan Family Foundation Ms. Maryanne Davis Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dill Dillon Family Fund Ms. Kelly Donovan Ms. Judith Okeefe Drexel Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edmiston Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Farnsworth Mr. and Mrs. William H. Friesell Mr. and Mrs. William Gee George E. Warren LLC Mrs. Dorothy Gilbert Mrs. Mary P. Graves Hammond Family Fund Mr. and Mrs. Steve Healy Mr. and Mrs. David Hentschel Mr. and Mrs. David Israel J. McLaughlin Vero Beach Mrs. Elizabeth Jacobsen Mr. and Mrs. Rodolph Johnson Mrs. Ellis Jones Kahle Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Keough Ms. Judith Caldwell Lafage Mr. and Mrs. Alan Leahey The Lenox Foundation Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Steve Lieberman Mr. and Mrs. George Long Ms. Evy Lynch Ms. Margaret Lyons Mrs. Christina Rhoads Marshall Mr. James D. Marver and Mrs. Shirin Kaufman Mr. and Mrs. Robert McLean Ms. Margaret JoAnn Mettler Mr. and Mrs. Edward Michael Mr. and Mrs. David Morgan Mr. and Mrs. James Morphy Ms. Dawn Morton Mrs. Reginald B. Newman Ms. Helen O'Connor Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Pelletier Mr. and Mrs. John Phillips Putnam Foundation Ms. Trudie Rainone Ms. Judie Robbins and Mr. Howard Halligan Mrs. Helen Taylor Robertson Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Jack Rohrbach Ms. Patricia Santagata Ms. Helen Santorine Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schneider Mr. and Mrs. Fred Shriner Mr. and Mrs. John Sommers Mr. and Mrs. Dale Sorensen Mr. and Mrs. Jose Sorzano Ms. Charlotte S. Stifel Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Teetz Mrs. Ann Tharpe Ms. Susan Van Der Stricht Vero Beach Global Advisors W. Y. Campbell Family Foundation Williams Family Fund Rev. Susan C. Wyper Sustainers ($500 to $999) BACK TO TOP Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Albani Ms. Nancy A. Alderman Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Bailey Ms. Livya Barreirinhas Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Conlee Mrs. Nancy Devlin Ms. Phyllis Dillon Mr. and Mrs. Jim Donovan Mr. and Mrs. Chris Dorrance Mr. and Mrs. Stewart A. Dunn, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. David Dyer Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Farrah Mr. and Mrs. Lundy Fields Ms. Margot Funke Mr. and Mrs. Frederick W. Gaertner Mr. and Mrs. Jean-Jacques Gilet Mrs. Ann Hamner Ms. Laura H. Harris Mr. and Mrs. George Howard Ms. Susan Kasten Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Kelley Kmetz, Elwell, Graham, & Assoc. PLLC Law Offices of Jennifer D. Peshke, P.A. Mr. and Mrs. Neal Lohuis Mr. and Mrs. Doug Lynn M&T Bank Ms. Debbye Mack Mr. and Mrs. Ross McConnell McCord Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Gregory McLaughlin Mr. and Mrs. John McLaughlin Ms. Sandra McManus Ms. Terry Necarsulmer Northern Trust Ms. Gail Nourse Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Parent Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Parks Mr. and Mrs. J. Peter Pierce Ms. Cathy Powers Ms. Sandra Rennick The Rosato Plastic Surgery Center Mr. and Mrs. Scott Schisser Seaside Smiles Pediatric Dentistry Mrs. Elizabeth Smith Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stork Mrs. Wendy Streetman Ms. Molly Teter Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Thornton Mrs. Diane Tingue Ms. Janet K. Tribus Vero Chemical Distributors, Inc. Vero Innovations Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Welsh Ms. Jane W. Wykoff Investors (up to $499) BACK TO TOP Anonymous (3) Ms. Christine Adonetti Mrs. Janice Alfano Ms. Sally Alkayaly Amazon Smile Ms. April S. Anderson Mr. Mark Anderson and Ms. Susan Monagle Mr. Martin Anderson and Mrs. Jennifer Foley Mr. and Mrs. Jay A. Anglada Anne Cooney Family Charitable Fund Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Arcati Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Arden Ms. Elizabeth B. Arnold AYCO Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. William S. Bahrenburg Mrs. Henrietta Barber Ms. Patricia Barry Ms. Kerry Bartlett Ms. Denise Battaglini Ms. Kelly Baysura Ms. Lani M. Becker Mr. and Mrs. Edward Benedict Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Bergeman Mr. and Mrs. William Berls Mr. Bill Blomberg Ms. Tena Boehm Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bond Ms. Sandra Bowers Mr. and Mrs. Hallam Boyd, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bridges Mrs. Nancy Briggs Ms. Deborah Brower Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Brown Mrs. Susan Caron Mr. and Mrs. Jesse L. Carroll, Jr. Ms. Boots Carter Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cauley Ms. Susan Chenault and Mr. Rick Hahn Ms. Rose Ciampa Mrs. Gaila Ciccarone Mr. and Mrs. John Clifford Mr. Richard R. Cobb Ms. Jeanne Cohane Ms. Margaret Collins Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cornett Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Corr Mr. and Mrs. Michael Curley Ms. Susan M. Curtis Mrs. Sherrie Davidson Mr. and Mrs. Edward Dayton Mr. Peter J. Dee Mrs. Barbara Diemer Ms. Dana DiFrancesco Mr. and Mrs. John R. Dillon Ms. Ann Dixon Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Doggett Mr. and Mrs. Robert Doumar Mrs. Valerie Dove Mr. and Mrs. William Driscoll Mr. and Mrs. Alan Dritenbas Ms. Carol C. Elliott Mr. and Mrs. Robert English Mrs. Alexandra Estey Mrs. Barrie Fahey Mr. and Mrs. Monte Falls Ms. Cornelia Ferguson Mrs. Terry A. Flaherty Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fleming Jr. Ms. Nancy Forlines Mr. and Mrs. Terrence Fox Ms. Jennifer Frederick Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Frith Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fuller Ms. Mary B. Gallatin Mr. and Mrs. Jay Gefaell Ms. Margaret Gibbs Mr. Terry Gilliam Mr. and Mrs. David Gookin Mr. David A. Goracy Ms. Shelli Gordon Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Gorman Ms. Nancy R. Gotfredson Mr. and Mrs. David Griffis Mrs. Roger Grimm Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Gulino Ms. Melissa M. Gullquist Ms. Brita Gwinn Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Haas Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hafner Mr. and Mrs. Roger Haines Mrs. Alice Hall Mr. and Mrs. George F. Hamner, Jr. Mrs. Robert Hardy Ms. Michele Harr Ms. G. Anne Harris and Mr. Seth Milliken Ms. Michael Joy Hauser Mrs. Albert Hazlewood Mrs. Geraldine M. Heister Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Hennig Mr. and Mrs. Peter Higgins Mr. and Mrs. Steve Higgins Mr. and Mrs. James Hill Ms. Grace Hinkley Mr. and Mrs. George Hinman Ms. JoAnn Hitt Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Hobbs Mrs. Aileen Hoguet Ms. Marcia Holland Ms. Ann Holmes Ms. Kathleen Holoubek Dr. and Mrs. A. Ronald Hudson Mr. Charles and Dr. Helen Boehm Johnson Ms. Ann Jones Mr. Kent Jones and Ms. Mary Arnold Joseph and Barbara Marshall Charitable Fund Ms. Michelle Julian Hon. and Mrs. Paul Kanarek Ms. Diane H. Karper Mr. and Mrs. Bernard H. Kastory Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Keeler Mrs. Regina C. Keeley Mr. and Mrs. James E. Kielley Mr. and Mrs. William Kloppenburg Mr. and Mrs. Tom Laurie Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Lautenbach Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Lees Dr. and Mrs. Lee Legler Ms. Irene Lener Mrs. Mary Lewisy Investors (up to $499) BACK TO TOP Mrs. Doris Limbeek Ms. Luisa Lizarralde Ms. Evelyn Lord Mr. and Mrs. David Lurie Ms. Francine Lynch Mr. and Mrs. Roger M. Lynch Mrs. Mary Susan Lyon Mrs. Susan MacDonald Mr. and Mrs. Jim Maggiacomo Mr. and Mrs. James Manley Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mannino Marine Bank & Trust Company Mr. and Mrs. Terence Martin Ms. Carol McCoy Dr. and Mrs. Hugh McCrystal Ms. Diane G. McGinn Mr. and Mrs. Ronald McGlynn Ms. Maryann McKee Mr. and Mrs. C. Michael McKeever Ms. Nancy Bird McKown Mrs. Jane McNeil Mr. and Mrs. David McNulty Ms. Carol Meenan Ms. Ellen Mello Ms. Suzanne R. Mellott Ms. Alice M. Mencke Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Michels Ms. Frances L. Miley Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller Ms. Jo Anne Monell Mrs. Martha Moore Mr. Michael Moore Ms. Claudia Morgan Ms. Amy Morse Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mortimer Ms. Katherine W. Mountain Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Muir Mr. and Mrs. Michael Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Michael Neilson Ms. Laurie Newhouse Ms. Cynthia Dickes Nicolaides Mrs. Diane Rae Nielson-Cito ONEHOPE Foundation Mrs. Mary Orticelli Ms. Christine Osborne Ms. Angel Padulo Mr. and Mrs. John Parker Mr. and Mrs. Robert Paul Ms. Kristina Pernfors Ms. Jennifer Peshke Ms. Patricia Petrillo Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Petty Ms. Patricia Jo Pflug Ms. Patricia Piche Mr. and Mrs. James Poole Dr. and Mrs. Donald Portell Mrs. Natasha Potter Ms. Marcia Poutiatine Mr. and Mrs. Paul Pritchard Mr. and Mrs. Robert Quinn Ms. Megan E. Raasveldt Mr. and Mrs. D. Barry Reardon Ms. Susanne M. Redmond Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Reiser Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Reisman Ms. Tiffany Reuter Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy Richardson Mrs. Bruce Rinehart Mr. and Mrs. William Rodgers Mrs. Susan Roberts Ms. Claire Robertson Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Rocke Ms. Barbara Rowles Ms. Barbara Ruddy Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rusher III Mr. Alan and Dr. Chris Ryall Ms. Kate Saska Mr. Stan Saska and Ms. Cindy Karlic Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Schaaf Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Schaus Mr. Robert W. Schlitt, Jr. Mr. William Schlitt Mr. and Mrs. William Schmitt Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schroeder Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Schwerin Mr. Jim Scott Mr. and Mrs. William G. Sedgwick Mr. and Mrs. William Seely Ms. Katherine B. Seem Mrs. Molly Segal Ms. Ruth Anne Seni Ms. Charlotte Shea Ms. Margaret Sieck Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Slater Mrs. Emily Snow Mr. and Mrs. Michael Snyder Mr. and Mrs. PM Snyder Mr. and Mrs. Richard Solar Ms. Clare Sommers Mr. and Mrs. James Sourbeer Mr. and Mrs. Michael Edward Sproule Mr. and Mrs. James Stasik Ms. Rebecca Steinke Ms. Catherine Stevens Mrs. Martha Stinson Ms. Mary Struthers Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Swain Ms. Melisa Sweet Ms. Roberta Sylvia Mrs. Christine Talbot Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Taylor Mr. and Mrs. John Tilney Ms. Mary Tomlinson Mr. and Mrs. Peter Tulloch Ms. Carol Twyman Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Tyson Jr. Mrs. Sallie Ann Ueltschi Mr. Richard Vacca Ms. Jennifer L. Vail Dr. Francis X. Van Houten Ms. Theresa M. Van Meter Vero Beach FLASH Ms. Diane Vickers Ms. Marjorie Waldner Mrs. Anne Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Ward Ms. Jennifer Watson Ms. Margaret Watson Ms. William Watts Ms. Beth N. Werwaiss Ms. Lynne Whipple Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Wieleba Ms. Andrea Williams Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Williams Ms. Gail Williams Ms. Nicole Williams Mr. Scott Winn and Ms. Sara Dugan Mr. and Mrs. Don M. Wilson III Mr. and Mrs. Jay Woodruff Ms. Dorothy J. Woodward Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wright Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wright Ms. Nancy Young Mrs. Janet Younker Gifts in Kind BACK TO TOP Bent Pine Golf Club The Community Church of Vero Beach Mr. and Mrs. Jim Donovan First Service Residential Grall Law Group Ms. Nancy Hopwood Ms. Katie Hutton John's Island Ladies 9 Holers Kidz Closet Charities Law Offices of Jennifer D. Peshke, P.A. Leigh Jewelers Ms. Margaret JoAnn Mettler Ms. Donna Marie Miller Mr. David Neithercut PNC Riomar Country Club Shining Light Garden Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Dale Sorensen Mrs. George Teneralli Mr. Kyle Thurn Ms. Kathy Tonkel Treasure Coast Pilot Club Vero Beach Country Club Ladies Golf Members Vero Beach FLASH White Orchid Spa BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian A. Baker Jim Beindorf, President Elect Susan Donovan, Immediate Past President Patrick Farrah, President Ginny Glazer, Officer at Large Katy Block Healy, Officer at Large Barbie Horton Cindy Hultquist, Officer at Large Helen Boehm Johnson Jennifer D. Peshke Amanda Robinson Karla Spooner Tracy Sorzano, Secretary Kyle Thurn, Treasurer BACK TO TOP ADVOCACY COMMITTEE Brian A. Baker Susan Donovan Katy Block Healy, Chair Helen Boehm Johnson Karla Spooner DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Susan Donovan Patrick Farrah Katy Block Healy Barbie Horton, Chair Cindy Hultquist Tracy Sorzano Karla Spooner FINANCE COMMITTEE Brian Baker James Beindorf, Chair Susan Blaxill-Deal Susan Donovan Patrick Farrah David Griffis Michael Kmetz Douglas Mello Kyle Thurn GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE Susan Donovan, Chair Patrick Farrah Ginny Glazer Katy Block Healy Jennifer Peshke PROGRAM COMMITTEE Pam Barefoot Pam Barr Carol Buhl Susan Donovan, Chair Ginny Glazer Sheryl Jones Kathy Marshall Peggy Martin Claudia McNulty Joyce Parent Jen Vail Sherry Waddell SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS For some, volunteering is giving. For our volunteers, it's a way of living. Childcare Resources students, teachers, and staff look forward to welcoming back our school volunteers at the start of 2023.

Submit a preliminary application for high-quality childcare. Applying for Childcare Please complete the preliminary application for childcare below. The wage calculator button below can help calculate your annual wages. A Spanish application is available. Do you have questions? If you need assistance in completing or updating this application, please call the Childcare Resources Wellness and Early Intervention Team: 772-567-3202 ext. 112. Wage Calculator Español

< Back Meet Abby & Olivia Abby enrolled her infant daughter Olivia into the Childcare Resources School after separating from her partner. With affordable childcare made possible by supporters like you, Abby was able to attend college full-time while Olivia received high-quality childcare. We were able to provide referrals to Abby and her partner to receive counseling regarding family struggles, helping to resolve those issues, and they have since married. Olivia was able to receive therapeutic intervention in Childcare Resources onsite therapy rooms, while her parents focused on school and work. This past summer, Abby graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and is now employed as a teacher in our community. In August, Olivia graduated with the necessary foundation to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Olivia has also been able to continue her important therapeutic services on our campus after school. “I wish every parent and child could experience the benefits of what quality early education does. These are the most transformational years- they set the tone for a lifetime," says Abby. "I’m so thankful my daughter was able to attend Childcare Resources. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.” With your investment, Olivia was able to receive high-quality childcare, therapeutic interventions, and build the needed foundation to ensure a bright future. You also allowed for Abby to achieve her career goals, become a homeowner and build a thriving family in our community. Previous Next

How many of us are willing to show grace to others? Knowing so many of you, I can say without hesitation, that you do this every day without even realizing it. Coach's Column Paulette Maggiacomo May 1, 2020 How many of us are willing to show grace to others? Knowing so many of you, I can say without hesitation, that you do this every day without even realizing it . As educators, it almost seems as if grace is in our DNA. Every day we show kindness and compassion to those in our care. But what about showing grace to yourself? Some of you Center Directors may know Nichole Parks with Leading for Children . Childcare Resources has been working with her this past year on a special Director Leadership Program. In her recent webinar, Nichole posed the question “Are you willing show grace to yourself?” During this pandemic, self-care is a priority and a necessity, it is not a luxury . When your child has a meltdown because they are missing the connection with their friends, when your spouse/partner becomes frustrated because they could not get on a Zoom meeting, when the dog is literally attached to your side and wants to go for another walk…..who is the person they turn to, the one they can depend on to show them grace? It is you. And you do it day after day, after day, after day. What about you? Who is showing you grace? Take the time each day to show kindness and compassion to yourself. Yes, you do have responsibilities as a wife, mother, daughter, friend, and neighbor, but you also have a responsibility to yourself. I realized, after listening to Nichole, that I need to commit to self-care. I need to take time every day to do something just for me. It is not selfish, it is a necessity. I am reminded of that commercial where the mother is in the bathroom eating her favorite cookies. Someone bangs on the door and yells her name. She lowers her voice and says, “It’s Dad.” She takes the much needed time to eat her cookie in peace and relax. Who knows, she may have only been in there for five minutes, but it was five minutes for herself. Nichole says it is about quality not quantity. So, take that time for you. Show yourself the grace that you give to others. I will end with my favorite quote from Nichole, “Make space for grace for you.” Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

You are vital to helping children, no matter how young they are, develop their fine motor skills so that they can write when they are developmentally ready Coach's Column Paulette Maggiacomo June 11, 2020 Hi Everyone, Aahhhh……..the ongoing debate between educators, their administrators, and parents: "Why aren’t your students (my child) writing their names, letters, and numbers? They are going into kindergarten and must have this skill" - how many times have you heard that? Now wait, if you are not a Pre-K Teacher, please don’t stop reading. You are vital to helping children, no matter how young they are, develop their fine motor skills so that they can write when they are developmentally ready. Vanessa Levin is an early educator guru and a lifelong learner. Her blog Pre-K Pages has almost 1,000,000 (yes, one million) visitors a month! At the Transform Challenging Behavior Virtual Conference , she presented What to Do About Power Struggles Over Writing and Other Table Activities . When children refuse to write, they are trying to tell us that they have not developed the muscles necessary to do so. Take a look at the palm of their hand – is it concave or chubby? The chubbiness is evidence that they still need skills to develop handwriting readiness. Some of these include: Hand & finger strength Crossing the midline Pencil grasp Hand eye coordination Holding and moving the pencil with the dominant hand while the other hand helps holding the paper Visual perception Using just the thumb, index, and middle finger for manipulation, leaving the ring and pinkie finger tucked into the palm to stabilize the other fingers (as Dr. Gibbs calls them, the Sleeping Fingers) Goodness gracious, that is a lot for our little ones to accomplish! This cannot be done in one year – it starts with teachers of infants and continues up the ladder. So, we take these skills of writing and break them down into smaller parts and teach these parts. Once again, it is important to be very intentional when we design classroom activities – it is not fine motor skills time from 9:30AM – 9:45AM. These activities should be available to the children all day so that they can strengthen their skills. Well, how do we do this? If you know anything about Vanessa Levin, you know that she is such a strong proponent of play dough (check out her website for recipes). At the beginning of the year, she puts the play dough out by itself. Tools are not added until the children have gotten accustomed to using it. Then, she rotates in tools such as cookie cutters that vary according to the season or interest of the children. As the children use the play dough, they are developing their hand muscles and using their imaginations. She brings up very interesting points: Don’t assume that every child has played with play dough. Model how to use it correctly. Her big secret is that she does not care if the colors get mixed. If the children mix the colors and make a comment about it, that gives her an opportunity to teach the consequences of their actions. If you are worried about it getting on the carpet, put a tray, tarp or a shower curtain on the floor. With advances in technology, children often do not see the purpose of writing. We need to let them see us writing all the time. Show them how you write grocery lists, make cards, write letters, and take food orders. Vanessa Levin carries Post-it notes wherever she goes. If a child has an idea or question and she cannot get to it right away, she writes it on a Post- it and puts it on the wall. Put paper (unlined, lined, different colors and sizes) with crayons, markers, colored pencils, and golf pencils in all centers. Let them have unlimited access to these tools. As a child I loved to color. I have many fond memories of spending countless hours at the kitchen table with my Dad coloring. He would take out his handkerchief when he finished a page and rub it over the coloring. It gave it such a beautiful sheen. But I was lucky, I enjoyed it and had a connected adult in my life who enjoyed it also. Vanessa Levin made an interesting point: Not all children like to color pre-made coloring sheets. What is the intent of these pages? Is it to be creative or color within the lines? All of this drawing and scribbling at such a young age leads to writing. Children are using their imaginations. They are having fun and developing their fine motor skills. For children to use scissors, they must have gone through the following progressive stages: Crumpling - collect newspaper flyers, put them in large tubs and let them have it! Ripping – give them small pieces of paper first Snipping – tape strips of paper to a table and just have them snip, not cut all the way through Fringing – tape paper to a table and fringe to make grass Cutting – once they have mastered the above stages, let them cut through the paper Cut right angles Cut round objects The open and close skill is a complex one. Work fingers by: Putting googly eyes on a clothespin and let them be alligator eaters of pom poms Using the play dough extenders that you push dough out of Use tongs to transfer objects from place to place Legos are great at working on these skills Sticking spaghetti or pipe cleaners in a colander Take a walk through your favorite Dollar Store with an open mind to see what items you can turn into fun pre-writing skills Vanessa Levin concludes by reminding us that if you have done everything in your power that you think you could have done, and this child still has not taken to writing, he or she just needs more time. Remember, you are each child’s advocate. If not us, then who? Until next time, I wish you well. Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

Challenging Classroom Behavior | Dr. Allison Betz | Challenging Classroom Behavior March 2016 Dr. Allison Betz Handout (PDF) Workshop Photos Back

It can be common for kids to lose some of their learning over the summer break. Coach's Column Amanda Gooch June 1, 2025 Have you ever heard of the “summer slide?” It can be common for kids to lose some of their learning over the summer break. While it may be common, that doesn’t mean it can’t be helped. One way to keep students’ literacy skills steady and growing over the summer is to read, read, and read some more. Reading to young children is an important way to help them build language skills and develop listening and comprehension skills. It exposes them to new words and ways of using language. It also supports creativity and learning about the world around them. Remember, emergent literacy takes place within the child. It is a gradual process that takes place over time. Literacy develops from real life situations in which children are provided many opportunities to see how reading is useful and meaningful within those experiences. When thinking about emergent literacy, how can we encourage a love for reading with our early learners? Here are some fun tips to make summer reading great and help promote child engagement: 1. Letter Water Table : Create a letter water table for some fun outdoor learning. You can write letters, shapes and even a variety of colors on ping pong balls or large letter stamps. Your students can then “fish” using a small fishing net or cup. 2. Set-Up a Reading Nook : Create a fresh and new cozy reading nook in your classroom where your students can relax and enjoy reading. Fill it with comfortable cushions, blankets, and some favorite books. You can even add some fairy lights or decorations to make it more inviting. 3. Outdoor Storytelling : Take advantage of the nice weather and encourage outdoor storytelling sessions. Let your students use their imagination to create stories or retell their favorite books. You can sit in the garden, at the playground, or even go on a nature walk while taking turns telling stories. 4. Write and Illustrate a Book : Encourage your students to write and illustrate their own classroom book. Provide them with blank notebooks or paper, art supplies, and writing prompts if needed. They can create their own characters, settings, and plot. Once the book is complete, have a class reading session to celebrate their accomplishments. 5. D.E.A.R : Drop Everything and Read is a great way to create fun and excitement around reading for pleasure. It sends a message that reading for pleasure is important, and something everyone should make time for. Any school, group, family or individual can Drop Everything and Read. Choose a regular time that suits you. Let everyone know, and at the appropriate time, just Drop Everything and Read! For more information on Drop Everything and Read, click this link: Drop Everything and Read Some kids naturally have a love of reading, and some kids maybe haven’t found the right books yet. If your students aren’t running to pick up a book while they are in class or at home over summer, you can encourage them by making it a fun challenge. Looking for quick book recommendations? Of course, your local library will be the best place to have tons of books at your fingertips. If you set up a day each week to visit, it can be a fun way to stock up on books. Libraries often have free summer reading programs and events as well. For a list of 50 summer books for kids, click this link: 50 Summer Books for Kids Wishing you all the best, Amanda & Todd Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

These team building activities provide opportunities for children to develop important character skills while having fun and building positive relationships with their peers. Coach's Column Amanda Gooch April 1, 2024 The spring season of our school year comes with high expectations. Many students are excited and motivated to learn. Several, however, need to have strategies in place that will allow them to continue to build up relationship skills and encourage them to work together. The activities below can encourage students to build their relationships with each other through team-building activities that are fun and engaging and reinforce collaboration, communication, social interaction and creativity. Here are some engaging and developmentally appropriate team building activities: Animal Charades - Children take turns acting out different animals while their peers guess what animal they are pretending to be. This activity encourages teamwork, creativity, and non-verbal communication. Obstacle Course - Set up a simple obstacle course using cones, hula hoops, tunnels, and balance beams. Children work together in teams to navigate the course, helping each other and cheering on their teammates. Group Art Project - Provide a large piece of paper or canvas and art supplies such as paint, markers, and collage materials. Children collaborate to create a mural or collage, taking turns adding their own artistic touches. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt - Create a list of natural items for children to find and collect outdoors, such as leaves, rocks, flowers, or sticks. Children work together in small groups to search for items and check them off their list. Team Challenges - Set up group challenges such as building the tallest tower using only spaghetti noodles and marshmallows or creating a bridge to span a gap using only paper and tape. Children collaborate to brainstorm ideas and work together to complete the challenge. These team building activities provide opportunities for children to develop important character skills while having fun and building positive relationships with their peers. To learn more about team building activities and games for kids, visit this link: Team Building Activities We are excited to help end the year strong with you all as we continue to be “bucket-fillers” for our students. We truly believe many of these team building activities and games are a reflection of Tammy Pawloski’s focus on how much we matter to the field of education. Our play based bucket filling activities set the foundation for our student’s futures as we help them to reach their goals and dreams every day. For more bucket filler activities that encourage kindness in your classrooms, visit this link: Bucket Filler Activities If you have an epic team building or bucket-filler activity that you do with your students please let us know. We would love to come to your centers and see the incredible work that you do for children in Indian River County. Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

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Terms of service for the Childcare Resources of Indian River mobile messaging program. Mobile Messaging Terms of Service Last updated: November 21, 2023 Childcare Resources of Indian River, (“Childcare Resources”, “we”, or “us”) operates a mobile messaging program (the “Program”) subject to these Mobile Messaging Terms and Conditions (the “Mobile Messaging Terms”). The Program and our collection and use of your personal information is also subject to our Privacy Policy [insert link to your privacy policy]. By enrolling, signing up, or otherwise agreeing to participate in the Program, you accept and agree to these Mobile Messaging Terms and our Privacy Policy . 1. Program Description: We may send promotional and transactional mobile messages in various formats through the Program. Promotional messages advertise and promote our services and may include service opportunities and program updates. Transactional messages relate to an existing or ongoing transaction and may include registration reminders, registration confirmations, and meeting reminders. Mobile messages may be sent using an automated technology, including an autodialer, automated system, or automatic telephone dialing system. Message frequency will vary but will not exceed 12 messages per month. You agree that we, our affiliates, and any third-party service providers may send you messages regarding the foregoing topics or any topic and that such messages and/or calls may be made or placed using different telephone numbers or short codes. We do not charge for mobile messages sent through the Program but you are responsible for any message and data rates imposed by your mobile provider, as standard data and message rates may apply for SMS and MMS alerts. 2. User Opt-In: By providing your mobile phone number to us, you are voluntarily opting in to the Program and you agree to receive recurring mobile messages from us at the mobile phone number associated with your opt-in, even if such number is registered on any state or federal “Do Not Call” list. You agree that any mobile phone number you provide to us is a valid mobile phone number of which you are the owner or authorized user. If you change your mobile phone number or are no longer the owner or authorized user of the mobile phone number, you agree to promptly notify us at [insert email or other contact method]. Your participation in the Program is not required to make any purchase from us and your participation in the Program is completely voluntary. 3.User Opt-Out and Support: You may opt-out of the Program at any time. If you wish to opt-out of the Program and stop receiving mobile messages from us, or you no longer agree to these Mobile Messaging Terms, reply STOP, QUIT, CANCEL, OPT-OUT, and/or UNSUBSCRIBE to any mobile message from us. You may continue to receive text messages for a short period while we process your request and you may receive a one-time opt-out confirmation message. You understand and agree that the foregoing is the only reasonable method of opting out. For support, reply HELP to any mobile message from us. Our mobile messaging platform may not recognize requests that modify the foregoing commands, and you agree that we and our service providers will not be liable for failing to honor requests that do not comply with the requirements in these Mobile Messaging Terms. We may also change the telephone number or short code we use to operate the Program and we will notify you of any such change. You acknowledge that any requests sent to a telephone number or short code that has been changed may not be received by us and we will not be responsible for failing to honor a request sent to a telephone number or short code that has been changed. 4. Disclaimer of Warranty and Liability: The Program is offered on an “as-is” basis and may not be available in all areas, at all times, or on all mobile providers. You agree that neither we nor our service providers will be liable for any failed, delayed, or misdirected delivery of any mobile message or information sent through the Program. 5. Modifications: We may modify or cancel the Program or any of its features at any time, with or without notice. To the extent permitted by applicable law, we may also modify these Mobile Messaging Terms at any time. Any such modification will take effect when it is posted to our website. You agree to review these Mobile Messaging Terms periodically to ensure that you are aware of any modifications. Your continued participation in the Program will constitute your acceptance of those modifications.

What does music do that will make a difference during these difficult times of stress and social isolation? Coach's Column Susan Roberts May 7, 2020 There is a lot of research on the impact of music for young children in the development of academic and social emotional skills. But what does music do that will make a difference during these difficult times of stress and social isolation? Music is a connector. It connects us to people, events and periods of time. Hearing certain songs may remind you of times in your life that were filled with emotion. Do you remember songs that were popular during high school? Songs that were sung to you as a child? Songs evoke feelings and memories. Songs, music and movement are also a release for feelings. I have seen the face of a child light up when a familiar song from school is sung by their teacher on Zoom. Greeting songs, circle songs, movements songs help bring back memories and feelings of community. Singing familiar songs, listening to favorite music, and moving to music used in your classroom connects the child to the experience of being “in school”. Encouraging Music at Home Children get a sense of comfort and routine from songs and music. Helping parents understand the use of songs and music at home will give them another tool to help their child. Many parents probably use songs at bedtime. The songs provide comfort, security, and a calming effect. Parents should be encouraged to use songs, music, movement and rhyme throughout the day. If Zooming with your class, review your clean up song and ask the children to share it with their parents. This can be used at home as a transition to lunch, outside time, and from unstructured play to a learning activity. Playing music to define lengths of time is helpful also. “When the song is done we will stop the video game and go outside.” Movement to songs such as Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes helps children practice following directions, and encourages listening skills, as well as learning body parts. Playing Freeze Dance helps children with listening and self regulation. Playing this at home helps children get out the wiggles! Unstructured musical activities are important as well. Have fun, be playful and creative. At home one of the best things to do with children is to have a dance party. Just put on some music and dance away! Scarves can be used to encourage movement of the arms and hands and more fluid movement. Some parents may find it difficult to be spontaneous. Children enjoy having their adults participate. They are not as judgmental and critical as other adults may be. And sharing these activities helps build a connection between parent and child. Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters

Respect. That is a word I would have not have thought of when defining the meaning of developmentally appropriate practices (DAP). Coach's Column Susan Roberts January 3, 2022 The December in-person workshop with Amanda Morgan was such a nice way to close out 2021. It was a great time to be with friends and colleagues for the first time in a year and a half! Amanda presented a powerful workshop on Developmentally Appropriate Practices: Why Our Children Don’t Need Pushing & What They Do Need Instead . There was good conversation about what early educators know about child development and the importance you play in each child’s life. Amanda was able to give facts and research that backed up the importance of play. She stressed the importance of teachers knowing the children they are interacting with and having the knowledge to provide them with meaningful and appropriate activities and interactions. Respectful teacher child interactions are critical. Respect. That is a word I would have not have thought of when defining the meaning of developmentally appropriate practices (DAP). Amanda explained that we need to: Respect that childhood is a valuable and valid time for children to grow and learn so they can reach their full potential. Growing an adult human is a process that takes time, connection with others and much trial and error! Children need to connect with others, hands on experiences with various materials and opportunities to use language in order to learn about their world. We need to respect the larger developmental process. We know that skills are built upon a foundation. Developmental milestones are a guide to building a strong foundation. They are a blueprint we can refer so we can provide playful and meaningful learning opportunities for children to reach towards and practice skills they may have missed. We need to respect children as individuals. The developmental process is not set to a time schedule or calendar. I loved Amanda’s analogy of a budding tree. Not all buds blossom at the same time. But given the proper nurturing they will all bloom. Likewise, children, given a responsive respectful environment will bloom when they are ready. Amanda gave us so much to think about. But you may have been left with some questions. How do I provide my children with developmentally appropriate, play based experiences and still meet the standards set by my center? How can do I explain to my director, co teacher, parents that the children in my care are playing with a purpose and learning as they play? What does a DAP class look like, sound like, feel like and what are the results of playful learning? Well, I am happy to say that Amanda will be back on February 5th with Teaching with Intention & Powerful Play. Join us as she brings together what we know about developmentally appropriate practices, social emotional learning, and learning standards and milestones, to provide appropriate, lasting and playful learning for our little ones. Registration is open now! And let’s hope 2022 continues to give us opportunities to come together, learn together and become our best together! I am wishing you well! Susan Back to Coaching Back to Newsletters