November 2007

The United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education opened in January of this year. We have come a long way in a short period of time, and I am anxious to share those exciting developments with each of you. Starting with this report, you will receive periodic emails highlighting some of the on-going activities at the Center.

As we work toward our goal of elevating the quality of early care education for all children, collaboration and communication are critical. Thank you all for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Harve A. Mogul

The United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education is an innovative learning, teaching, research, and training facility dedicated to elevating the quality of early care and education nationally. United Way of Miami-Dade's vision is that all children will have access to a high quality early childhood education, so they can get the best possible start in school and in life. Below are some recent examples of how the Center and its supporters are making that vision a reality.

New Demonstration School director hired

Rose Marie Inserni joins us as the director of the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education Demonstration School. She has more than 20 years experience in the field of early care and education.

Demonstration School at full capacity
In August, enrollment reached full capacity with 130 children.

United Way joins prestigious network of early education centers

The Center was accepted into The Bounce Learning Network, a network of state-of-the-art Educare centers across the country dedicated to better preparing young children for success in school. With acceptance comes a $1.3 million grant. The network is a joint effort of the Buffett Early Childhood Foundation and the Ounce of Prevention Fund. Like the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education, each facility in the Bounce Learning Network strives to serve as a catalyst for broader change throughout the community and beyond.

Women leaders advocate for quality early education policies in Washington, DC

Twenty prominent women met with all members of Miami-Dade's Congressional delegation in Washington, DC to inform them about the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education and urge them to support policies around high quality early care and education. The women also met Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

70 administrators participate in first Early Childhood Program Administrators Institute

Sponsored by United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education along with Miami Dade College, The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation, The Children Trust and others, this year-long management and business leadership training program for early childhood administrators is designed to help local professionals expand their knowledge of early childhood development. Highly trained and qualified teachers and administrators are a critical component of any high quality learning environment.

Center receives $2.5 million grant from County

The $2.5 million grant, part of the Miami-Dade County's General Obligation Bond (GOB) approved by the voters in 2004, will support construction costs of our world-class facility.

Parenting classes grow

The Center continues to host a number of classes and training sessions for parents and caregivers, designed to help them build healthy foundations for their children. The classes are open to the public, and offered through the University of Miami’s Families First program, thanks to funding from The Children’s Trust.

United Way continues focus on quality

Efforts continue, in collaboration with The Children’s Trust, The Early Learning Coalition and other stakeholders, to develop a quality rating system for all child care centers. The Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) will encourage child care centers to adopt quality standards and offer support service to foster improvement.

Harvard expert to speak at Center

One of the nation’s leading experts in early literacy, Catherine Snow, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, will address 150 child care providers and educators. She has co-authored several books on language and literacy development, and published extensively in journals and edited volumes. This presentation is sponsored by the University of Miami School of Education.

Harve A. Mogul