Strategic Initiatives
make a donation1Early Learning
This multi-faceted strategic initiative for children from birth to 5 years old enhances teacher quality, access and affordability of education-focused care – components that research deems deficient in Collier County.
Communities where all children enter kindergarten ready to learn are best positioned to thrive in the 21st century. Expert panels determined kindergarten readiness is more than just knowing ABCs and 123s. It is about developing the whole child, including what it takes to promote social and emotional growth so that our youth cannot only read, write and computer but work well with others, have their curiosity engaged and develop creative problem-solving skills — all of which are necessary for success in the 21st century workforce.
Since inception in 2008, over 59,000 children have been educated through high-quality programs, leading to nearly half of Collier County children being deemed “Ready for Kindergarten” consistently since 2017.
NCEF's Contribution to the Solution
Children’s Early Learning
The goal of the children’s Early Learning Initiative is to increase access to high-quality early childhood education for at-risk children while supporting supplemental services.
NCEF’s partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of SWFL (ELC) allows for the expansion of child care including subsidies for children in need of scholarships.
In partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University, NCEF established the Early Literacy & Learning Model (ELLM) designed to close the school readiness gap for at-risk 4-year-old children in Collier. ELLM fosters collaboration while enhancing teacher quality.
Through the School Readiness Match Program NCEF participation allows for doubling child care scholarships in Immokalee, supporting the below child care providers who offer high-quality early childhood education to children ages infancy through five years old.
ABLE Academy’s Specialized Therapeutic and Analysis Resources (STAR) initiative provides behavior analysis for children, birth to age five in early childhood education centers, who may be at risk for behavior intervention. Professional development trainings on behavior and teaching effective communication are provided for all teachers.
The Threat
Early childhood education is important as research identifies the development that occurs between birth and age five is critical for establishing academic skills like literacy and math but also influences social and emotional competence and overall health. In rural and low-income communities particularly, such as Immokalee, families struggle to afford and access high-quality early learning programs. These children, younger than age 6, are set up for failure prior to even entering school.
The Need
In 2021, 69% of 3–4-year-olds were not enrolled in school. That’s over 4,000 children not receiving high-quality early childhood education. Not only does this lessen their chances of being deemed “Ready for Kindergarten” but they also miss out on the positive impacts that are created by preschool which can reverberate throughout a child’s school years.
Strategic Impact
NCEF’s efforts focus on enhancing teacher quality, increasing capacity, affordability, access and quality of early childhood educational care.
NCEF’s partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of SWFL (ELC) allows for the expansion of child care including subsidies for children in need of scholarships.
In partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University, NCEF established the Early Literacy & Learning Model (ELLM) designed to close the school readiness gap for at-risk 4-year-old children in Collier. ELLM fosters collaboration while enhancing teacher quality.
Through the School Readiness Match Program NCEF participation allows for doubling child care scholarships in Immokalee, supporting the below child care providers who offer high-quality early childhood education to children ages infancy through five years old.
ABLE Academy’s Specialized Therapeutic and Analysis Resources (STAR) initiative provides behavior analysis for children, birth to age five in early childhood education centers, who may be at risk for behavior intervention. Professional development trainings on behavior and teaching effective communication are provided for all teachers.
NCEF recognizes that Kindergarten readiness is more than just knowing ABCs and 123s.
A well-educated and caring staff, high program standards and an evidence-based curriculum based on a child’s developmental needs are among the most important components of a high-quality early learning environment.
We are proud to collaborate with esteemed organizations that exemplify the highest efficacy standards.
Our Blueprint Partners include ABLE Academy, Early Learning Coalition of SWFL, Florida Gulf Coast University (ELLM), Guadalupe Center, Pathways Early Education Center of Immokalee and Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA). Together, we are committed to implementing groundbreaking and high-quality early learning programs that close education gaps.
Help Move Our Mission Forward
We encourage you to take an active role in supporting high-quality early learning. You can start by spreading awareness of the importance of early childhood education and support the wrap around services that effectively develop the whole child, beyond their ability to read, write and compute.
As the need in our community continues to grow, your giving strengthens our ability to achieve our mission. Thank you for support!
