The Naples Alliance for Children will honor the Collier County Business and Early Childhood Education Communities at their Annual Dinner, Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at Wyndemere Country Club. (Speaker to be announced)
Naples Alliance for Children recognizes the importance of the early childhood education and business partnership. The childcare and business communities have an important roll maintaining the well-being of our families. Businesses who have family friendly workplaces know that this is good business. They help early childhood teachers provide children with a quality education in a safe community. Early childhood teachers give children the important foundation that enables them to become productive employees and employers.
The Apple Blossom Award celebrates outstanding early childhood practice in Collier County, outside of the public schools. This care and education may take place in privately owned, state subsidized, agency operated, or faith based licensed childcare centers. NAFC early childhood education professionals visit nominees in their classrooms where they access teachers according to the highest standards set by the profession. Feedback on the observations is available to directors and teachers.
The Apple Blossom Award is a symbol of appreciation of early childhood teachers’ invaluable contributions. The award program is funded through a grant from the Henry and Betty Albrecht Fund of the Community. The teacher of the year award recipients receive a plaque, a $500 monetary award and a special decal for their Center. Each of the finalists receive a certificate and a $100 monetary award. All nominees receive a certificate and a special gift. The 2007 Apple Blossom Teach or the Year Recipients were: JANET NEWELL, NCH Infant Care Center; Toddler, JOANNA MUNOZ, YMCA of Collier County; Preschool:(Tie) KATHY HARTLEY, Naples Christian Academy and AUDREY PAZMINO, YMCA of Collier County. Finalists were: SABRINA MCBRIDE, Bear's Den; YANIESKY RIVES, One of a Kind Progressive Learning Center; YOLANDA ESQUIVEL, RCMA Farm Worker Village C; SHERYL WILLIAMS, Step by Step. Nominees were: AMANDA COLLINS-SMITH, One of a Kind Progressive Learning Center, TRACY DEARING, NCH Bear’s Den Child Care Center, YOLANDA ESQUIVEL, RCMA Farm Worker Village B, KATHY HARTLEY, Naples Christian Academy, MARJIE LaMARRE, NCH Bear’s Den Child Care Center, SABRINA McBRIDE, NCH Bear’s Den Child Care Center, JOANNA MUNOZ, YMCA of the Palms, JANET NEWELL, NCH Infant Care Center, AUDREY PAZMINO, YMCA of the Palms, YANIESKY RIVES , One of a Kind Progressive Learning Center, JOANN ROGRIGUEZ, YMCA Naples, SHERRY WILLIAMS, Step-by-Step Early Childhood Education & Therapy Center.
In 2007, twenty seven local employers have met the criteria that designate them as NAFC Family Friendly Businesses. They will be honored for their workplace policies and programs that help employees take an active part in raising their children. NAFC salutes these local businesses: Allen Systems Group, Inc., Bank of America, Bonita Bay Group, Inc., Brown & Brown Denefits, Child Care of Southwest Florida, City of Naples Collier County Health Department, Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Collier County Government, Collier County Public Schools, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Community Foundation of Collier County, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, David Lawrence Center, Economic Development Council of Collier, County. Fifth Third Bank of Florida, Naples Daily News, NCH Healthcare System, Northern Trust Bank, Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Quarles & Brady, Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA), Ritz Carlton Naples, Step By Step, WilsonMiller, Yamron Jewelers, YMCA of Collier County.
Special recognition Family Friendly Workplace Employer of the Year plaques were presented to companies who excelled in demonstrating family friendly policies and/or practices. Five companies honored for their established and innovative programs were: THE BONITA BAY GROUP, NCH HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, REDLANDS CHRISTIAN MIGRANT ASSOCIATION (RCMA), WILSONMILLER, YAMRON JEWELERS
Naples Alliance for Children is a volunteer advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth and families in Collier County. For information on NAFC programs and the Apple Blossom Award criteria and assistance in gaining family friendly business designation, contact NAFC at 649-5260 or e-mail info@napleschild.org.
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