The Children’s Movement of Florida is adding a new member to its Board of Directors: Dr. Larry Rice. Rice is co-founding partner and chief engagement officer of Northern Compass Consulting, a firm serving clients across government, education, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. A former university president and lifelong educator, he brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education, workforce development, institutional assessment, and executive coaching.
As part of Children’s Week at the Capitol, Florida students spent Tuesday asking lawmakers about their policies. Brownsville Preparatory Institute students led the conversations at the Florida Capitol, bridging the gap between lawmakers and the students who are impacted. Madeleine Thakur, president and CEO of the Children’s Movement of Florida, attributed the students’ high literacy and eagerness to learn as her reason for selecting them for this opportunity.
On Monday, January 26, 2026, communities across Florida came together to celebrate the inaugural All In for Early Learning Day, a newly proclaimed day recognizing the statewide All In for Early Learning initiative led by The Children’s Movement of Florida. The day highlighted a shared commitment to ensuring that every child has access to a strong start during the first five years of life, when early experiences lay the foundation for lifelong learning and success.
The Children’s Movement of Florida has launched the Parent Leadership Network, a new statewide initiative designed to equip parents and caregivers with the skills, knowledge, and connections to help shape early childhood policies and systems that affect Florida’s families.
The Children’s Movement of Florida gathered a full room of advocates and lawmakers to recognize three legislators who helped steer early learning priorities across the finish line during the 2025 Legislative Session.
When businesses support families, everyone wins. That’s the idea behind a statewide initiative called “Bosses for Babies”, part of the ‘Children’s Movement of Florida.’ “Bosses for Babies” connects Florida business leaders who support family-focused practices.
Makayla Buchanan, former director of early learning and literacy for the Florida Chamber Foundation, has been named chief of staff for The Children’s Movement of Florida. She will work closely with CEO Madeleine Thakur and a strong statewide board led by David Lawrence Jr., former publisher of The Miami Herald and The Movement’s founder.
Early learning — whether you call it child care, daycare, or preschool — is the foundation of our K-12 system. With just days left in Florida’s Legislative Session, up to $120 million of funding for early learning is at risk. While I understand the efforts of House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars and curb Florida’s spending via a smaller state budget, I’d urge them not to make cuts at the expense of our youngest children.
This week during Children's week at the Capitol, we are hosting a KidCast — an interview booth where children will ask legislators and state leaders about their trajectories and how they support children and families. It’s a powerful reminder that the policies we debate today directly shape the future these young voices will inherit.
The Children’s Movement of Florida (The Movement) proudly announced the recipients of its first-ever Early Childhood Champion Award at a heartfelt ceremony honoring two remarkable leaders who have made early learning a key focus during their time in the legislature. The Movement celebrated Senator Erin Grall and Representative Dana Trabulsy for their role in increasing investments in the state’s early learning programs this year.
More than 170 child advocates and business leaders gathered for a hybrid luncheon to address the public health crisis of Florida's tiniest residents. The Celebrate Babies event, a collaboration between the Center for Child Counseling and the Florida Association of Infant Mental Health, took place Oct. 22 at The Breakers.
The Florida Chamber Foundation and the Children’s Movement of Florida are combining efforts on an initiative to help early learning programs impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The 2024 Florida Early Learning Recovery Fund launches with an initial fundraising goal of $1 million, and money raised will be used to aid early learning programs sidelined by the storms in reopening. The fund is accepting contributions online.
The Florida Chamber Foundation and the Children’s Movement of Florida are combining efforts on an initiative to help early learning programs impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The 2024 Florida Early Learning Recovery Fund launches with an initial fundraising goal of $1 million. The money raised will aid early learning programs sidelined by the storms in reopening. The fund, which accepts online contributions, will be administered in partnership with Florida’s Early Learning Coalitions.
The Children’s Movement of Florida (The Movement) today announced that it has received a $1 million grant from Helios Education Foundation to accelerate a groundbreaking initiative to improve access, quality, and affordability of early learning programs across the state over the next three years.
This year’s legislative session had an important mark of distinction: more early learning bills were filed than in any other session… ever. Champions from both political parties actively supported the cause, generating both optimism and momentum. Often, good policy takes years to pass; among the 1,900 bills filed this session, only 325 passed both chambers. Still, we made important strides in support of our youngest Floridians.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce estimates that child care issues are resulting in a $5.38 billion annual loss to the state economy. The cost of child care for infants and toddlers is out of reach for many working Florida parents. In Hillsborough County, data shows that infant care can cost as much as $12,000 a year. Pre-kindergarten care in the county can cost upwards of $8,000 annually, according to the latest community needs assessment conducted by the Early Learning Coalition.
Imagine your boss calls you into her office with big news: Your hard work is being recognized and you are getting a raise. This should be a moment to celebrate, but you realize the negative impact on your family budget. Fifty cents an hour more at your full-time job will bring about $1,000 more into your bank account that year, but you’ll lose a subsidized health insurance plan for your daughter, and those costs rise from $240 to $3,000.
