Educare of Omaha, Inc. News
Winter 2023
The Hart Beat: Thankful for 20 Years
Thoughts from Educare of Omaha, Inc. Executive Director Rafel O. Hart
Dear Friends,
Recently, we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Educare Omaha at Kellom with an open house for our community leaders, non-profit partners, and donors. What started with 4 preschool classrooms serving 78 children in 2023 has grown to provide early childhood education and family engagement to over 600 children and their families annually at five locations!
Tarnisha Phiseme-Diep, who was four years old when she attended Educare Omaha at Kellom, spoke at the event. She shared,
“The impact of my teacher during my preschool education supported me all throughout high school. I developed a love for reading, because you read to me. I am goofy, because you allowed my imagination to run wild. I crochet, I produce music, I paint, I sew, because you allowed me to dive into the arts. I am a teacher, because you taught me. Every little thing you did for me is what made me who I am today. Thank you for making a difference in my life.”
I am so THANKFUL for our staff, donors, partners and the community. THANK YOU for all you have done to help Educare of Omaha, Inc. grow, and further our mission. With your support, we will continue to make a difference in the lives of young children and ensure they have the best possible chance for success in school and life.
Sincerely,
Rafel O. Hart
Executive Director
#GIVINGTUESDAY402
You’re invited to join the biggest local giving day of the year – Giving Tuesday on November 28, 2023! Mark your calendars and support Educare of Omaha, Inc. as we work to eliminate the opportunity gap for young children and prepare them for success in school and life. You can learn more on our Share Omaha profile here.
Ready to give early? Click the button below and use the donation code GIVINGTUESDAY!
Sixpence Home Visiting Program
Sixpence Home Visiting Program
Educare of Omaha, Inc. partners with Sixpence Early Learning Fund to provide a family engagement/home visitation program. This free program is available for parents with children 0-3 years of age, as well as parents that are expecting a new baby.
Our experienced professionals meet with families in their home three times a month to help parents prepare for and guide the early development of their children. Home visiting specialists model techniques for nurturing relationships with infants and toddlers, and help parents become more effective at monitoring children’s health and other developmental needs using the Parents as Teachers curriculum. They also help the family set goals and work towards them, and can connect the family to other community resources as needed.
Families in Educare of Omaha, Inc.’s Sixpence Home Visiting Program also meet as a group monthly. The group has enjoyed outings to parks and farms, and in October celebrated autumn with a party at the Early Learning Center at Skinner. These outings help build community connections, socialization and fun memories.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining our Sixpence Home Visiting Program waitlist, contact Jessica at 402-561-6122.
Educare of Omaha, Inc. awarded funding
The Omaha Community Foundation recently awarded a grant from the Creche Childhood Education Fund for Educare of Omaha, Inc.’s Read & Play Program. Funds will provide books and materials to support children’s literacy skills at home. By reading at home, families engage with their children, build a library of literacy resources, and improve oral language skills necessary to become proficient readers by 3rd grade. Thank you OCF!
Educare of Omaha, Inc. News
Fall 2023
The Hart Beat: What's New This Fall
Thoughts from Educare of Omaha, Inc. Executive Director Rafel O. Hart
Dear Friends,
As August approaches, the signs of going “Back-to-School” are all around us – school supply lists, open houses and lots of paperwork. But at Educare, “Back-to-School” is not an entirely accurate phrase, because our students, parents and teachers are learning and interacting year-round!
What a new school year DOES mean for Educare is:
- New infant classrooms – we are excited to welcome our youngest students to our schools!
- New teachers for preschoolers and new students. At Educare, students stay with the same teachers from birth to age 3, and for ages 3-5. This continuity of care builds trust between teachers, students and families.
- New developmentally appropriate learning opportunities – Teachers may not change, but activities in the classroom do! Our teachers are busy making sure that classrooms have everything they need to match the ages and stages of our students.
- More professional development for all staff. Our schools are closed this week (August 7-11) as teachers, kitchen staff, health aides, and administrators prepare for students.
Open Houses will be held at two Educare schools and three Early Learning Centers on Tuesday, August 15. We look forward to showing our students and families what exciting things await this fall!
Sincerely,
Rafel O. Hart
Executive Director
Educare of Omaha, Inc. created a wish list of items needed in our classrooms this year. You can find it on our Share Omaha profile here, or by clicking the button below. The Shop For Good links will take you to Amazon, where you can purchase the exact item we need and ship it direct! Thank you for supporting the achievements of our students.
Read & Play: There's No App for a Lap!
Read & Play: There's No App for a Lap!
Did you know the building blocks for reading proficiency by 3rd grade are grounded in oral language developed in the first three years of life? Research shows that reading to children is a wonderful way to increase vocabulary and literary skills.
The Read & Play Program, created by Educare of Omaha, Inc.’s speech language pathologists, provides books, activities and parent strategies to support children’s literacy skills at home. By reading at home, families engage with their children, build a library of literacy resources, and improve oral language skills necessary to become proficient readers by 3rd grade.
The first book this school year available to all students is The Family Book by Todd Parr. Families will also receive bubble wands to enjoy together!
Childhood Matters: Peek-A-Boo
In this seven minute video, see how a game of peek-a-boo can change the world. Educare of Omaha, Inc. provides high-quality care to all the children we serve, and empowers and supports families in their parenting journey. From eye contact to playing peekaboo – little things make a big difference!
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