Parents and caregivers are a child’s first teacher, first advocate, and first source of love. Long before children enter a classroom, families nurture the language, confidence, and curiosity that prepare children for kindergarten. That is why family voices are essential when communities make decisions about early learning and early literacy.
With that in mind, The Children’s Movement of Florida brought together more than 1,000 Floridians to share their hopes and experiences for the future of early learning. In 2023, those conversations led to the launch of Florida’s Early Learning Roadmap, an actionable plan for the future of early learning policy and funding in the state.
Seventy-five percent of participants were parents and educators, joined by early childhood stakeholders from across Florida. Together, 41 recommendations were shaped to strengthen policies and investments during children’s first five years of life.
"When my kids got access to early learning, it changed the destiny of my whole family. We always say children don’t come with an instruction manual, but together with other parents and educators, I felt supported in my parenting journey. I also gained a better understanding of my kids’ learning abilities and how I could help them succeed -detecting challenges early so we could address them early. That’s all I want for every parent and every child." Maria Somera - Parent.
While much of the organization’s work focuses directly on children and families, its impact extends beyond the home through its Bosses for Babies initiative. Through Bosses for Babies, businesses receive tools and guidance to implement policies that allow parents to balance work and caregiving responsibilities.
"As I’ve said many times, when you fix early learning, you fix 1,000 other things." Mark Wilson - President and CEO, Florida Chamber of Commerce.
With parent voices at the center, The Children’s Movement of Florida is turning this vision into action. The Parent Leadership Network and the All in For Early Learning initiative create welcoming spaces for families to learn, connect, and advocate together. Parents and community partners are invited to join this shared effort at www.allinforearlylearning.com, because when families come together, meaningful change is possible.
By Madeleine Thakur, President & CEO, The Children’s Movement of Florida