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Children First Blog
Want to know the latest news?
You'll find it all in the most recent newsletter HERE!
You'll find it all in the most recent newsletter HERE!
February 27, 2017
Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, was awarded the WEDU “Be More Informed” Nielsen Marketing Campaign Award during the 2017 WEDU Be More Awards Luncheon & Ceremony in Tampa on February 23. Children First was recognized for our “Raise Your Hand” campaign.
The “Be More Informed” award [...]
February 27, 2017
Numerous studies assert that children in families with incomes below the poverty line are less likely to be read to every day than are children in families with incomes at or above poverty. Due to a combination of factors related to income disparity, by the time children are 5 years old, the ones in poorer [...]
February 9, 2017
SARASOTA– On Feb. 9, Children First, Sarasota County’s provider of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, dedicated the Keith D. and Linda L. Monda Community Wing at its primary campus. Keith and Linda Monda were instrumental in starting the recent Crib Challenge to encourage additional giving for the Raise Your Hand Campaign, [...]
December 14, 2016
At Children First, our work goes well beyond child care: the education and nurturing environment that we provide actually impact the brain development of our children. Our teachers and volunteers, in partnership with parents and caregivers, help our students to gain the cognitive, social and emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten, college and [...]
December 5, 2016
With Thanksgiving just behind us, we thought this would be a good time to express how thankful we are for our teachers and family support staff. As Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services, Children First asks – requires – more from our teachers than a standard pre-school. Our incredible [...]
November 22, 2016
The 2016 Flip Flops & Fashion and Rockin’ Lobster events were amazing, and we are so grateful for all the support received! These fundraisers allow Children First to provide more support to vulnerable families and children. Did you know that the cost for one child’s schooling is about $10,000 per year? Thanks to our generous [...]
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Thank you CBS Tampa Bay for helping spread the word about two important grants we recently received that provide mental health and child safety support to our agency. We are grateful to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for this incredible support of our children, families, staff, and mission.
tampa.cbslocal.com
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has provided Children First with a $30,000 Equity and Access Grant supporting access to mental health care for Sarasota County’s most vulnerable young chi...
The #StaffSpotlight is on Jane Shaw, Early Learning Inclusion Coordinator as she shares her thoughts about working at Children First!![]()
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In her role, Jane works with children and families to ensure every child receives the services they need and assists classroom teachers with a child’s accommodations or modifications for learning success. She is truly a ray of sunshine and always has a smile to spare!
At Children First, there are many things we are thankful for: our children and families we serve, our committed staff, dedicated volunteers, and amazing supporters just like you, who make our mission possible each day. ![]()
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From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Our #StaffSpotlight is on Bonnie Eskell, Early Learning Inclusion Coordinator!![]()
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Bonnie worked previously as an Early Childhood Development Specialist, helping to run daily operations at 4 Children First locations. She recently earned her M.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development from Capella University and joined our Comprehensive Services Team as an Inclusion Coordinator, where she works to support children and families in receiving the individualized services needed for success, both in school and in life.
Our #StaffSpotlight is on Miss Connie Vermette, lead teacher in the Red Crayon Classroom at our Dr. Marieb Early Learning Center!![]()
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Miss Connie has been with Children First for nearly 18 years and can always be counted on for a smile or helping hand. She is known for her positive, can-do attitude and can be found creating incredible memories with children both in the classroom and on the playground.
May 26, 2018
Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, celebrated the completion of its 200th award-winning Nurturing Dads class on Thursday, May 10. Over the past 20 years, the award-winning class has reached just shy of 2,000 fathers. The free 10-week course is modeled after The Nurturing Father’s Program, a [...]
May 26, 2018
(Longboat Observer- Katie Johns): Jo Rutstein thought she was picking up tablecloths and linens from Children First on March 23. But her husband, Stan Rutstein, and the staff of Children First had some other ideas as March 23 happened to be her birthday.
As Jo Rutstein walked into the room where she thought the linens were awaiting [...]
March 28, 2018
PHOTO CREDIT: Observer Media Group (Katie Johns) L-R: Chairwoman Heidi Thomas, Vice President of Philanthropy for Children First Jessica Rogers and chairwoman Daphne Walker
Longboat Observer (Katie Johns)- The ladies of All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church had a pep in their step March 21.
On Wednesday afternoon, models from the congregation took to the [...]
March 28, 2018
The Impact of the Giving Challenge
In 2016, the Giving Challenge enabled Children First to provide quality early childhood education and family strengthening services to over 600 children and their families. Children were able to learn in a safe space, receive the education and care they needed, and get their bellies filled with healthy [...]
