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As we begin a new year at Fun Time Academy, I am filled with excitement for what lies ahead. We are especially delighted to share that all four of our Fun Time locations were rated “Above Expectations” in the State of Florida’s VPK Provider Ratings. This recognition reflects the dedication of our teachers, education team, and entire Fun Time family, providing children with the high-quality early learning experiences they deserve.
But while ratings and results are important, what matters most to us is the impact we have on each child who walks through our doors. Every day, our teachers create nurturing classrooms where children feel safe, supported, challenged, and excited to learn. We have the privilege of watching children discover new skills, build confidence, and take important steps toward kindergarten readiness.
This year, we look forward to continuing that work—supporting the whole child, partnering with families, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.
To our Fun Time families, thank you for trusting us with your children. To our teachers and staff, thank you for the heart, passion, and dedication you bring to your work each day. And to the supporters, donors, partners, and community members who believe in our mission, thank you for investing in the future of our children and helping us ensure that high-quality early learning is accessible to the families who need it most.
Together, we are making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families across our community. We can't wait to see how much our children will learn, grow, and accomplish this year!
With gratitude,
Christen Krembs
Chief Executive Officer
Fun Time Early Childhood Academy
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We are excited to have been selected as the beneficiary of the Gulf Coast Runners Annual Labor Day 5K Run & Walk! This year’s run will take place on Monday, September 7, at Sugden Regional Park.
Registration is now open! We invite you to:
- Register to run or walk
- Create a team or group and participate together
- Explore sponsorship and underwriting opportunities
- Visit our Vendor Village, featuring local businesses, community partners, and family-friendly activities
Your participation helps support the programs and services of Fun Time Academy while promoting health, wellness, and community involvement.
| Mark your calendars and join us for a memorable Labor Day event. Have questions or want to learn more? Reach out to Sophia Davisson at sdavisson@funtimeacademy.org. | | |
As we celebrate 65 years of impact, we're taking a walk down memory lane through our Throwback Thursday series. Each week, we'll highlight the people, places, and moments that helped shape Fun Time while counting down to our 65 Hours of Giving campaign, a special fundraising effort honoring our past and investing in our future.
These throwback photos remind us that 65 years of impact have occurred because of the people who believed in our mission and invested in our community. This October, we invite you to be part of that tradition by supporting 65 Hours of Giving, October 27-29, as we celebrate our past and invest in our future.
| | $490,000 Grant Received from The Naples Children Foundation | | |
We are thrilled to announce that Fun Time Early Childhood Academy has been awarded a grant of $490,000 by the Naples Children Foundation (NCF), founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival.
This grant funding provided by the Naples Children Foundation is an investment in our teaching staff, which is crucial to maintaining and enhancing the high-quality educational experience for which we are known. We are deeply grateful for NCF’s continued support of our teachers, children, and community!
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What a wonderful time everyone had at the Back-to-School Expo hosted by Neapolitan Family!
We loved meeting so many amazing families, connecting with our community, and sharing what makes Fun Time Academy such a special place to learn and grow. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table, asked questions, and learned more about our enrollment opportunities. It was also great seeing current and past students attending the event!
| | $20,000 Grant from United Way Collier and the Keys | | |
We’re excited to share that Fun Time Early Childhood Academy has received a $20,000 Community Investment Grant from United Way Collier and the Keys (UWCK) for the 2026–2027 funding cycle. This support will help provide tuition assistance for underserved children, making it easier for more working families in Naples to access quality early childhood education.
We were also happy to welcome UWCK representatives to Fun Time as they presented the grant and celebrated our shared commitment to giving local children and families a strong start.
| | Finding Affordable Childcare - WGCU Interview | | |
Affordable, high-quality childcare and preschool education remain a challenge for many families. Our CEO, Christen Krembs, recently spoke with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford about how Fun Time Academy is helping make quality early learning more accessible.
The segment highlighted our programs for infants through VPK, with tuition based on a family’s ability to pay.
Check out the WGCU interview and learn more about Fun Time Academy’s mission to support local families!
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We are grateful for our partnership with Meals of Hope and their mobile food pantry, which visits our school every Monday afternoon. Through this program, families have access to a variety of nutritious food items, including fresh produce, frozen meats, eggs, canned goods, pasta, and other pantry staples.
This valuable resource helps support families in our community by providing free groceries on a weekly basis. We encourage all of our families to take advantage of this opportunity and stop by each Monday to pick up food items for their household.
Thank you to Meals of Hope for helping us strengthen and support the families of Fun Time Academy!
| | Fun Time Academy Spotlight: Mary Saunders | | |
This month, we are shining a spotlight on Mary Saunders, the newest member of the Fun Time Early Childhood Academy Board!
Mary is an attorney with Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt in Naples and brings a wealth of legal expertise, leadership, and a strong commitment to serving our community. In her role on the Fun Time Academy Board, Mary will provide valuable insight and guidance as we continue to grow our programs and serve children and families in our community.
We are honored to welcome Mary to the Fun Time Academy family and look forward to the experience, perspective, and dedication she will bring to our board!
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We had a wonderful start to the school year! This month, our children focused on learning classroom routines, rules, and expectations while becoming familiar with their new environment.
Children participated in activities that helped them learn their friends’ and teachers’ names, build friendships, practice kindness and sharing, and recognize different feelings and emotions. We also practiced taking care of our classroom materials and following daily routines and transitions.
Our VPK children enjoyed Corduroy Goes to School, which supported our discussions about school, friendship, and belonging.
We are so excited for a year filled with learning, growing, exploring, and making new friends!
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Help Every Child Bloom!
Your support helps us provide scholarships for children as well as curriculum materials and hands-on learning experiences. Every donation opens doors to education, fuels curiosity, and empowers the next generation to reach their full potential. Together, we can make learning accessible, engaging, and life-changing, one student at a time.
You Can Make an Impact:
$100-$500 - Plant the Seeds
Provide art supplies, healthy meals, and hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and help children grow.
$1,000-$2,500 - Help Children Take Root
Support children’s learning needs through curriculum resources, educational toys, outdoor play, and experiences that build kindergarten readiness.
$5,000-$10,000 - Nurture the Whole Child
Help provide tuition assistance, enriching learning experiences, and the resources children need to learn, play, and thrive.
$15,000-$25,000 - Help Every Child Bloom
Invest in strong teachers and professional development while providing tuition assistance, educational resources, and meaningful learning experiences that help our children reach their full potential.
Ways to Make an Impact:
Monthly Giving Program - Qualified Charitable Distribution
Donor Advised Funds - Planned Giving Legacy Society
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| | Your commitment to Fun Time Early Childhood Academy allows us to provide affordable, high-quality early learning for underserved children from working families, preparing them for success in kindergarten and beyond. | | | | |
