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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!
September 30, 2019
October 22nd, 2019 – What Makes a Best Place to Work?
Residential and commercial services, insurance, health care, social services, manufacturing services and a hair salon. The Herald-Tribune’s 2019’s list of Best Places to Work in Sarasota and Manatee contains quite a variety of workplaces, from larger companies to small and medium-sized companies alike.
And ‘alike’ is the operative [...]
July 15, 2019
Children First has been selected for a matching grant through the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) literacy network for its commitment to lifelong learning. Books for Ownership is RIF’s flagship reading program that enables children to select new, age-appropriate books to take home and is supported by resources for educators, caregivers, and volunteers in order to [...]
July 15, 2019
Sarasota, FL – Children First and State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) are proud to announce the formalization of an Early Childhood Education Partnership. Students in the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education will complete their final teaching internship in Children First Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms. These students will intern with [...]
July 15, 2019
JULY 12, SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – An abandoned modular building on Gore Court in Newtown will now provide early childhood education services to 16 at-risk infants and toddlers. It’s a partnership between Children First and the Sarasota Housing Authority. Private donors made this happen.
“When we have those children in our own environment when they are [...]
July 15, 2019
JULY 11, SARASOTA, Fla. (FOX 13) – The building had its wear and tear inside. But outside, Children First saw its potential — and soon, it will be a classroom for families in need of child care.
“We saw a prime opportunity to recreate the space, make it beautiful for children, families and staff and get kids off the wait [...]
July 15, 2019
JULY 8 – Children First has been selected for a matching grant through the Reading is Fundamental literacy network for its commitment to lifelong learning. Books for Ownership is RIF’s flagship reading program that enables children to select new, age-appropriate books to take home and is supported by resources for educators, caregivers and volunteers in [...]
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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.
July 15, 2019
Children First has been selected for a matching grant through the Reading is Fundamental (RIF) literacy network for its commitment to lifelong learning. Books for Ownership is RIF’s flagship reading program that enables children to select new, age-appropriate books to take home and is supported by resources for educators, caregivers, and volunteers in order to [...]
September 30, 2019
October 22nd, 2019 – What Makes a Best Place to Work?
Residential and commercial services, insurance, health care, social services, manufacturing services and a hair salon. The Herald-Tribune’s 2019’s list of Best Places to Work in Sarasota and Manatee contains quite a variety of workplaces, from larger companies to small and medium-sized companies alike.
And ‘alike’ is the operative [...]
November 22, 2019
Dropping your child off at a safe and reliable preschool should ease nerves for most parents, but for many, the challenges of the day are just beginning. Financial trouble, food instability, reliable employment, and access to education are struggles many families in our community face. That’s why Children First has to be so much more [...]
December 30, 2019
By Reverend Brock Leach – Director, Children First Board, Chair Emeritus 2013-2015
In a world of big, future-threatening problems, how should we invest what poet Mary Oliver calls “this one wild and precious life”? I want to make the case for kids.
As a minister who works to strengthen communities, I’ve become convinced that what fundamentally ails [...]