Childcare Resources of Indian River

10/02/2026

A big thank you to PNC! Through PNCGrowUpGreat, PNC employees volunteered their time to create and gather special art projects and hands-on activities for our students. PNC’s Doug Bailor recently stopped by to deliver thoughtful donations, including birdhouses for our children to paint and personalize.

These kinds of experiences give children opportunities to get creative, explore, build new skills and, most importantly, have fun while learning. We’re so grateful for PNC’s continued partnership and for the time and care their employees put into supporting the children and families we serve.

Thank you, PNC, for your continued investment. Together, we are strengthening our community one family at a time.

10/01/2026

We’re proud to share the story behind our second annual Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award and celebrate the incredible educators who make a difference in the lives of children and families every day. Their dedication, care and commitment strengthen our community and help shape the future of Indian River County.

Read more about this year's Early Childhood Educator of the Year and the impact of their work at the link below. 👇

Jennifer Poore has been named the recipient of Childcare Resources of Indian River’s second annual Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award, recognizing more than a decade of dedication to young children and families.

10/01/2026

A new chapter for early learning in Indian River County begins with understanding where we are and where we can go.

The Indian River County Early Learning Landscape Analysis and Roadmap is officially here.

We partnered with the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning to develop this analysis and take a closer look at the early learning landscape in our community.

The report brings together perspectives from parents, early learning providers and educators, along with demographic and economic data, to help us better understand where Indian River County stands today and where there are opportunities to strengthen early learning for the future.

The findings make one thing clear: child care availability and affordability, the early learning workforce, infant and toddler capacity, and kindergarten readiness are deeply connected. These issues affect children and families, but they also have implications for employers, our workforce and the broader health of our community.

This work is about more than identifying challenges. It gives our community data we can use to better understand the needs, identify opportunities and have informed conversations about what comes next.

We are incredibly grateful to the families, early childhood educators, providers and community members who shared their experiences and perspectives throughout this process.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the John’s Island Community Service League Strategic Fund for providing the funding that made this important work possible.

Now, it is time to put the findings to work.

Read the full Indian River County Early Learning Landscape Analysis and Roadmap and explore what the data tells us about the future of early learning in our community.

Read the full report: https://www.flchamber.com/early-learning-landscape-analyses/?utm_source=Media&utm_medium=Indian+River+Press+Release&utm_campaign=Indian+River+Landscape+Analysis+and+Roadmap&=1

09/30/2026

📚 A book a day can start with just a few minutes.

A recent Education Week article highlights a concerning trend: parents are reading less frequently with preschool-age children at home. There are plenty of demands on families today, but one simple habit can make a lasting difference: reading together.

Reading with young children supports early language and literacy development, builds connection and gives children opportunities to explore new words, ideas and stories. And it doesn't have to be complicated. Read the same favorite book again. Let your child turn the pages. Talk about the pictures. Ask what they see.
Looking for more books to bring home?

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides eligible children in Indian River County with a free, age-appropriate book delivered to their home every month from birth through age five. Books are personalized with the child's name, making each delivery a special experience.

📖 Indian River County families can register through the Indian River County Library System.

A new study uncovers factors tied to shared reading habits at home.

09/30/2026

🎨 LAST CALL! Our next Professional Learning Workshop is THIS SATURDAY!

Join Dr. Angela Eckhoff for “Creative, Expressive, and Relational: Developing Visual Arts Experiences,” an engaging opportunity to explore the role of visual arts in early childhood and discover new ways to bring creativity into the classroom.

✨ Learn. Create. Connect. Get inspired.

And the best part? This workshop is FREE for all early childhood educators in Indian River County!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn, connect with fellow educators and add some creativity to your teaching toolkit.

Register today! https://www.childcareresourcesir.org/workshop-registration-october

09/29/2026

We had such a great time at our latest Professional Learning Workshop! It was wonderful to see early childhood educators from across Indian River County come together to learn, collaborate, share ideas and connect with one another.
And we’re doing it all again this Saturday!

Join us for our next Professional Learning Workshop with Dr. Angela Eckhoff, an engaging session centered on art and creativity in early childhood education.
Have you signed up yet? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn new ideas, get creative and connect with fellow early childhood educators in our community!
Register today! https://www.childcareresourcesir.org/workshop-registration-october

09/28/2026

🍂 Happy Fall!

Fall has arrived and a cooler morning means a change of scenery for our three-year-olds in the Kittens classroom! This week, they took their circle time outside on the playground.

Outdoor learning gives children the chance to engage their senses in new ways while they learn. The sounds around them, the feel of the breeze, the sights they notice and the space to move all create opportunities to build attention, curiosity and connection.

Sometimes, a little fresh air is all it takes to make a familiar part of the day feel like a whole new learning experience.

09/25/2026

There are so many ways to make a difference.

Sometimes, it looks like rocking a baby to sleep, sharing a favorite book, practicing early literacy and math skills, or helping a four-year-old build the confidence and skills they need to be ready for kindergarten.

Our volunteers give their time, talents and care to support children and teachers throughout Childcare Resources. Whether they’re lending a helping hand in the classroom, supporting special projects or simply being a caring, encouraging presence, every hour makes a difference.

We’re incredibly grateful for each and every volunteer who shows up for our students and are helping to transform tomorrow.
Interested in getting involved? Learn more about volunteering and other ways to give back: https://www.childcareresourcesir.org/become-a-volunteer