Bosses for Babies Statewide Initiative Gaining Momentum in Northwest Florida
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – 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. The initiative helps make the workplace more flexible for parents with children under the age of five. The local business community learned about Bosses for Babies and the Children’s Movement of Florida during the Bay County Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday meeting earlier today.
The Children's Movement Hosts 2025 Legislative Debrief
Our 2025 Legislative Recap broke down what changed, and what’s next, for Florida’s youngest learners.
Top takeaways:
- School Readiness eligibility change: a major step for childcare access
- Prioritizing students with special needs in School Readiness
- What to expect in the 2026 session and how to keep momentum strong
Thank you Senator Alexis Calatayud, Representative Robin Bartleman, Molly Grant, and Darrick McGhee for the insights and candor.
The Children’s Movement of Florida Names Chief of Staff
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 Tuition Assistance at Risk for More than 10K Florida Families
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.
Building a Family-Friendly Florida for a Stronger Future
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.
In that spirit, we have a meaningful opportunity to make smart, forward-thinking investments in our youngest learners — strengthening our families, our future workforce, and our economy in the process.
The Children’s Movement of Florida Presents Inaugural Early Childhood Champion Award
MIAMI — 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.
Helping State's Most Vulnerable: 'It's About Our Children and Everybody's Child'
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.
Florida Chamber, Children's Movement Team Up to Help Hurricane-Damaged Child Care Centers
'Reopening childcare centers is absolutely essential to Florida’s economic recovery.'
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.
Sunburn - The Morning Read of What's Hot in Florida Politics - 10-23-24
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 Receives $1 Million Grant from Helios Education Foundation to Improve Early Learning Programs Statewide
MIAMI — 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.
Bright Spots for Young Learners and Families in Florida's Budget
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.
A Lack of Affordable Child Care Puts the Burden on Working Florida Parents
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.
With Bipartisan Leadership, Florida Can Give Families a Chance at Prosperity
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.
It’s hard to celebrate when you’re on the edge of a cliff.
Reimagining the Future of Early Learning in Florida
The Children’s Movement of Florida has just released an actionable roadmap for the future of early learning policy and funding in the third-largest state, stemming from a collaborative process over 18 months called The Future Project.
The Movement's Next Chapter
After more than a dozen years with The Children’s Movement of Florida, Vance Aloupis will become The Movement’s senior adviser as he transitions to become a partner in the education-consulting firm, the Strategos Group, effective March 1.
Madeleine Thakur, The Movement’s now president, succeeds Aloupis as CEO.
$3 Billion for Early Learning in Florida
The Division of Early Learning recently released a plan to spend significant pandemic relief funds to bolster early learning centers and family child care homes–as well as directly support educators. The Children’s Movement of Florida was pleased to play a role in influencing the spending plan, together with partners in Florida’s Early Learning Consortium. (If you are eligible for funding and have questions, your local early learning coalition will be the best resource for you!)
For now, here’s what we know:
Speech from David Lawrence Jr. to the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum
The Future of Early Learning
The Florida Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual “Future of Florida
Chamber Forum: Investing in parents, children is good business
From Florida Politics: “During the 2022 Future of Florida Forum, Children’s Movement of Florida founder and former Miami Herald publisher Dave Lawrence spoke at length about the educational challenges facing Florida’s children — and he opened with some alarming statistics.”
Want To Be Part of the Solution? Become a UWBB ReadingPal
From Tallahassee Democrat: "One hour of your time each week spent helping a child in pre-K to third grade learn to read can not only put that young boy or girl on equal footing with classmates, but it also helps ensure future academic and career success."