FirstSpark

🌟 Mark your calendars! On October 1st, join us for Breakfast and Discussion! 'Child Care: Everybody's Business,' an event focused on the vital issues of early childhood care and education. This is your chance to join the conversation on how access and affordability affect our business community and the future workforce. Your voice matters—RSVP now and take a moment to fill out our survey! 📅 Tuesday, October 1, 2024 📍 Newport News Marriott at City Center ⏰ 8:00 am-9:30 am Secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/e8aHmgSm Share your thoughts: surveymonkey.com/r/RW6SWNZ

🚨 Addressing the 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 in Our Region 🚨 The statistics tell a pressing story about the child care crisis in Hampton, James City, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and York combined: 𝟮𝟵,𝟯𝟰𝟬 children under the age of 5 𝟮𝟬,𝟬𝟱𝟬 children under 5 with all available parents in the labor force Only 𝟭𝟵,𝟳𝟵𝟬 licensed child care spots available As these numbers show, the demand for quality child care significantly outweighs the supply. We must come together as a community to address this issue and ensure that every child has access to the care they need for a strong start in life. Let’s work collaboratively to bridge this gap and support our families! 💪👶 #ChildCareCrisis #SupportFamilies #FirstSpark

🌟 Milestone Monday Parenting Tip: 🌟 As your child’s first teacher, you can help his or her learning and brain development. Try this simple tip in a safe way. Help your child learn about others’ feelings and about positive ways to react. For example, when he sees a child who is sad, say “He looks sad. Let’s bring him a teddy.” Talk with your child’s doctor and teachers if you have questions or for more ideas on how to help your child’s development. #MilestoneMonday #ParentingTip #EarlyCommunicationSkills #FirstSpark #SupportingChildren

Join in the celebration by sharing a few words about our retiring ED!

💙 Ready to Make a Spark? 🌟 Together, let's build strong foundations at home and ensure every child in our area gets the best possible start. Your contribution makes a difference—ignite the spark today! 🌟💼 Donate today: https://lnkd.in/ej6xEYUF

Thank you again to everyone who joined the conversation for our “Child Care: Everybody’s Business” event! Together with Women United and the City of Newport News, we were joined with a dynamic group of business leaders to discuss the pressing need for affordable and accessible child care in our community. A heartfelt thank you to our partners, panelists, and special guests, including @unitedwayvp, @cityofnn, @shellysimonds, @lakishaleeks, Sarah King, Anna James, Rev. Dr. Todd Davidson, and Xavier Beale, Vice President of Human Resources and Trades Administration for Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of @wearehii It is widely known that access and affordability of early childhood care and education for children ages 0-5 is important for today's workforce and has a resounding impact on today's business needs and on building tomorrow's workforce. Stay tuned on our socials as we share some of the important topics that we discussed during this time!

🌟 Meet Maya Michaux, our passionate VQB5 Specialist who has been with FirstSpark for 3 months! Maya was captivated by the idea of an organization that can bring together childcare providers from diverse backgrounds to work toward a shared goal. Now, she’s out in the community visiting centers across the Chesapeake Bay, helping providers with VQB5 registration. One of her favorite moments so far? Hearing firsthand how impactful VQB5 and CLASS have been for both children and teachers. Maya is excited to be part of a program that will continue to shape the lives of children for years to come. 🏫📚 #MeetOurTeam #FirstSpark #VQB5 #EarlyChildhoodCare #CollaborativeEducation #ChildcareProviders

From one of our fantastic Staff VQB5 Specialists, who is on the front lines of measurable #earlychildhood quality!

Our 2024 Annual Impact Report is here! 📊✨ We’re proud to share the incredible progress we've made over the past year, thanks to our community and partners. Inside, you’ll find highlights of our work, key milestones, and the positive impact we’ve had on early childhood education across the region. Check out some of the featured snippets in this post, but for the full picture of what we’ve achieved together, be sure to read the entire report. Your support helps make all of this possible! 🙌 🔗 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dQzWcbrR

🍽️ Supporting Your Picky Eater 🍽️ Navigating the world of picky eaters can feel like a challenge, but with a little patience, creativity, and persistence, you can help your child develop a more adventurous palate. Making mealtime less stressful and more enjoyable is possible with the right approach. Let’s work together to create happy, healthy eating habits for your child! 💪🍎 #PickyEaterTips #HealthyEatingForKids #FamilyMeals #ParentingSupport #FirstSpark #HealthyHabits