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ONEinCspHirIiLngDyoAuTngAchTilIdMrenE
“Education is
not the filling of by Dianne Reed
a pail, but the
lighting of a fire. “This facility has been a haven for Titus.
The staff love and nurture him in ways I never
”-William ButlerYeats dreamt possible. He has flourished socially,
and I couldn’t have wished a better place for
him. His language is off the charts for his age,
and I definitely attribute a lot of that because
of the creative learning environment. The
entire staff personally greets him with a warm
smile. I could write pages on how impressed
I am with the program.” This quote is from a
parent whose child is enrolled in the NCEF
Early Childhood Development Center, one of
the three early childhood care and education
programs operated by Collier Child Care
Resources (CCCR).
The center’s early childhood development
program is exceptional, having won
three top honors in 2015. The program
earned reaccreditation from the National
Accreditation Commission (NAC) for Early
Care and Education; a five star rating from
the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest
Florida through its Southwest Florida Stars
Program; and 100 percent of the five-year
olds scored “Ready to Learn” when they
entered kindergarten. Considering 75 percent
of the children enrolled are from low-income
families,these awards speak volumes about the
center’s educators who strive for excellence in
early childhood education.
“At the end of the day, it is satisfying to
know that our program has earned these
awards, but the living proof is to observe the
children and witness how much they are loved
and inspired to learn. They leave with strong
social and emotional skills,” says Niccole
Howard, Executive Director of CCCR.
Howard continues, “Over 60 percent of
these children live at or below poverty level,
and 75 percent receive partial tuition assistance. Early Childhood Education Center says, “At the end of
With the average cost of childcare at $11,000
per child, it is easy to see how families would
struggle with this expense. We are continually
looking for ways to help these children from
families who cannot afford the cost.”
CCCR serves over 275 children annually
in their three programs for early childhood
care and education. In addition to the NCEF Early
Childhood Development Center, CCCR operates the
A Step Up Child Development Centers at Golden
Gate and Immokalee High Schools for the children,
ages birth-five years of teen parents who wish to
complete their high school education. Early childhood
symposiums and professional trainings are offered for
over 1,750 teachers annually.
Support for CCCR’s programs comes from a
number of community resources including the Naples
Children & Education Foundation, founders of the
Naples Winter Wine Festival; the United Way of
Collier County; the Richard M. Schulze Family
Foundation; and the Community Foundation of
Collier County. The need for partial tuition assistance
and supplies is on-going and relies upon individual
donors, grants from foundations, corporations, and
proceeds from fundraisers.
Local businesses support CCCR through an
initiative called the “CCCR Business 100.” So far, 58
companies have joined and give an annual contribution.
Many of its members hold networking events which
draw in more members. Indira Maharaj, VP Branch
Manager of IberiaBank, says that IberiaBank has held
two well-attended networking events at their location
for the CCCR Business 100. “It is a win-win situation.
We meet new clients; and CCCR benefits from gaining
new supporters for their organization.”
In further describing what CCCR is all about, it
would not be complete without mentioning something
about the Reggio Emilia philosophy of education to
which it adheres. This philosophy is at the heart of
every interaction the teachers have with the children. It
views young children as unique and competent beings
with rights rather than needs. The teacher is not there
to “fill” a child’s mind but to “light a fire” from within.
There is a great emphasis on the arts in the curriculum.
Kathy Hostetler, Teaching Artist at the NCEF
each day, I am filled with an inner sense of how truly
important art is in the development of a young child.
When they create something, with their own hands,
confidence is strengthened in so many ways and imparts
open-mindedness and allows for positive cognitive
growth. Knowing that I have given everything to inspire
the children to be all that they can be is the best part of
my job.”