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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!
March 15, 2021
Children First, the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, is pleased to announce its 60th Anniversary Co-Chairs and Committee members in recognition of the agency’s historic milestone of six decades of service to the community.
The 60th Anniversary Co-Chairs and Committee members are comprised of past and present board [...]
February 25, 2021
February 25, 2021
The circumstances of the last year have forced non-profits to make dramatic changes. WEDU PBS presents Be More Unstoppable, a special broadcast to celebrate non-profits and share stories of resilience and spirit during a challenging year.
Children First and CEO Philip Tavill joined area nonprofits in sharing the many ways we have pivoted [...]
February 1, 2021
February 1, 2021
In 1961, the Junior League of Sarasota, formerly the Junior Welfare League of Sarasota, founded the Sarasota Day Nursery with a mission to prepare children from low-income families for Kindergarten. Their work changed lives and built a strong foundation, and in 1994 the agency became Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start [...]
January 26, 2021
January 26, 2021
PGT Innovations, a national leader in the premium windows and doors category, has partnered with Children First, the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, to kick off the agency’s 60th anniversary in a special initiative called “60 for 60.”
In honor of Children First’s major milestone, the agency is [...]
January 15, 2021
January 15, 2021 – Sarasota
Dr. Melania Kesoglou, Ed.S., Ph.D., and Director of Education at Children First, has been invited to serve on the National Head Start Association’s Region IV Foster Care Challenge (FCC) Committee. In her role, Dr. Kesoglou will help to oversee the FCC’s work in Head Start’s Region IV, the southeastern United [...]
January 13, 2021
Philip Tavill, the longtime president and CEO of Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive Head Start provider, has vivid memories of spending time beside his father, a physician working in public health, in locations from Morocco to Milwaukee. His South African mother’s passionate anti-apartheid stance also helped shape his concern for others. “Together, they [...]
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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.
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 [...]
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 [...]
