INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — While 2009 high school graduates prepare for college classes and careers, 35 Childcare Resources’ graduates are looking forward to the first day of kindergarten. One of Childcare Resources’ main goals is to prepare children to start kindergarten ready to learn with their peers. Childcare Resources, a United Way agency, assists working parents by making quality childcare available at greatly reduced prices. The nonprofit organization currently contracts with seven outstanding childcare centers in Indian River County at which the 96 children in the program, aged birth to 5 years, attend.Parents who are eligible for this program must work or attend school full time, meet income eligibility guidelines and reside in Indian River County. When in the program, parents must maintain employment or student status and participate in a variety of Childcare Resources activities throughout the school year. The organization insists on the highest quality from its contracting centers because that is what has a long term, positive impact on an at-risk child.”Every parent deserves to be able to go to work each day knowing that their child is safe, happy and learning,” says Rachael Moshman, Family Resources Coordinator at Childcare Resources. “We only contract with centers that are accredited with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to help us ensure high quality experiences for the children. Parents are able to maintain steady employment and their children leave the program ready for kindergarten.”Accreditation with NAEYC consists of a rigorous preparation and implementation process that utilizes research-based childcare best practices, such as low student/teacher ratios; appropriate and nurturing curriculum; well-trained teachers and directors; adequate teacher compensation; parent-teacher conferences, and an open door policy.”Many of the children who begin kindergarten without the requisite school readiness skills face steep learning hurdles that are difficult to overcome; too many children who start behind, stay behind,” says Pam King, Childcare Resources Executive Director. “Exposure to quality early learning substantially improves a child’s success in school. Childcare Resources is proud to give children the opportunity to start school ready. At the same time, their parents are hard working members of our community.”Information: Call (772) 567-3202 or visit www.childcareresourcesir.org.
