Our work All children deserve a chance to reach their full potential, and early education can help. Research shows kids who are exposed to imaginative play, socialization and learning from the early years have a greater shot at success in school and life. It is our vision that all children will have access to the highest quality early care and education, so they can have the best possible start in school and in life. The United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education is an innovative learning, teaching, and training initiative dedicated to elevating the quality of early care and education in Miami-Dade and beyond. The Center models proven best practices, and shares those practices with adult learners including parents, educators, and child care providers. The Center also works with business leaders and lawmakers to raise the standards of early childhood education, and support sustainable and lasting change. MissionOur mission is to elevate the quality of early care and education in Miami-Dade and beyond. There are three components that drive the work of the Center: EducateThe Center educates parents and early care professionals on how to become agents of change and improve early childhood education at home and in the classroom. By providing expert training and resources, created and delivered by leading experts in the field of quality early education, the Center addresses the educational and developmental needs of our most deserving citizens – our children. Beyond educating parents and early care professionals on best practices, the Center equips stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to understand and deliver high quality early care and education. The Center’s training facilities allow adult learners to study best practices through distance learning, fieldwork and field trips, mentoring, workshops and seminars, with the option of observing the strategies they just learned in action. Through the Center’s Resource Library, they can access thousands of childcare publications—books, magazines, research papers, curricula and interactive games, just to name a few. Demonstrate The Center demonstrates how to improve the quality of services and programs available to young children by serving as a model for observation and implementation of best practices. Additionally, the Center models cost options for those interested in revamping or building centers of high quality. All best practices modeled at the Center’s Demonstration School, Educare of Miami-Dade are supported by research. The unique composition of the building allows for in-depth observation of those practices without interrupting the learning process of the children. AdvocateThe best way to create a comprehensive and efficient early childhood system is to educate and mobilize the community to support and improve policies for young children. Effective, evidence-based early childhood policies, programs and services go a long way in supporting stronger families and communities. The Center empowers parents and educators to demand the highest quality care for all children, brings together leading child advocates and works with business leaders and lawmakers to raise the standards of early childhood education, and support sustainable and lasting change. The Center furthers the impact of its advocacy efforts by building strategic partnerships and a spirit of collaboration among those involved in early care and education. The Center gives: • teachers a place to learn how best to teach;
• parents the opportunity to develop better parenting skills;
• children a place to begin their lifetime of learning and success;
• a community center to model and emulate; and
• an opportunity to build partnerships and a spirit of collaboration among those involved in early care and education. |
