At Fun Time Early Childhood Academy, our mission is clear: to provide affordable, high-quality early learning for underserved children from working families, preparing them for success in kindergarten and beyond.

To ensure every child is prepared for success in kindergarten, we use Teaching Strategies GOLD, a research-based assessment tool that tracks growth in key areas such as literacy, math, and social-emotional development. In Fall 2024, our data revealed that 35% of students were below expectations in social and emotional skills, which are foundational to learning and lifelong success.

We implement Conscious Discipline. Our staff receives training annually in this trauma-informed, evidence-based approach that teaches emotional regulation, promotes positive behavior, and builds safe, connected classrooms. Conscious Discipline empowers both children and teachers with the tools to manage "big feelings," resolve conflict, and build meaningful relationships.

With this intentional focus, we are proud to share that we just completed our Spring assessment window, and 87% of students are now meeting or exceeding expectations in social-emotional development. We are so proud of the growth that our Fun Time Academy students have made this year!

Across our four centers, we can serve up to 350 children, from ages two weeks to five years, representing diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. By combining a strong curriculum, data-informed strategies, and deep family engagement, we are giving children the foundation they need and supporting families on their journey to success.

Thank you for being a vital part of this work. Together, we’re preparing children not just for kindergarten but for life.

Warm gratitude,

Jessica Campbell

Join Us for a Heartwarming Evening of Art and Imagination Supporting the Future of Our Children

LOCATION

Larimart Gallery

2359 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 410

Naples, FL 34109

DATE AND TIME

May 7, 2025

5-7 pm

We invite you to purchase a ticket for our Through a Child’s Eyes event, where we will be celebrating the incredible creativity and potential of our young artists. You can purchase their artwork and experience the world through their eyes—eyes full of wonder, joy, and endless possibility.

The event will raise vital funds to provide children at Fun Time Early Childhood Academy with the essential tools they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Every piece of art you purchase supports children and their families, ensuring they receive the gift of a high-quality early education.

Meet some of the young artists and share in this magical night as we honor the boundless creativity that lies within each child.

Light refreshments will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

Interested in being a sponsor?

Contact Sophia Davisson at sdavisson@funtimeacademy.org

Santa Barbara is CCFP Approved

We have exciting news! Fun Time Academy's Santa Barbara location is now officially approved to participate in the Child Care Food Program (CCFP).



This wonderful program provides reimbursement for healthy foods served to children while they are in our care. That means our students are enjoying nutritious, well-balanced snacks each day, at no additional cost to their families.

As we move toward a full kitchen renovation, we hope to expand this program to include breakfast and lunch as well!

We're committed to supporting the growth and development of every child, and proper nutrition plays a vital role in that journey. Thanks to the CCFP, we’re able to ensure that our students have the fuel they need to learn, play, and thrive! 

Lions Club Eye and Ear Exams

A heartfelt thank you to the Lions Club for visiting Fun Time Academy this month to provide eye and ear exams for our students!

We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing dedication to early childhood health. Their generosity in giving their time, expertise, and care to our little learners is invaluable. Through this screening process, we were able to refer our 25 students for further testing of vision, hearing and dental concerns.

Early detection is key to helping children thrive both in and out of the classroom, and partnerships like this one help ensure that our students are set up for success. The Lions Club's commitment to community wellness and their continued support of our mission means the world to us.

The Easter Bunny Visited Fun Time Academy!

The Easter Bunny made a very special appearance at Fun Time Academy this week, delighting our students across all four of our locations!

It was a joyful and memorable visit filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of excitement as the children had the chance to meet the Easter Bunny in person.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our incredible volunteer, Sue Debenedictis, who generously gave her time and energy to bring the magic of the Easter Bunny to life. Her dedication and warm presence made the day even more magical for our students, and we are so grateful for her help in creating such a special experience.

Thank You, Ms. Monica!

This past month, we said goodbye to a long-term volunteer, Ms. Monica, who has played the guitar for our students for many years as she will be relocating from Florida. Her songs, smiles, and spirit made every child's day brighter at our academy.

Thank you, Ms. Monica, for the music, the memories, and the magic you brought with you. We'll miss you more than words (and songs) can say, but your melodies will always live on in our hearts.

Student Spotlight: Luna

This month, we want to spotlight a student who has shown incredible growth at Fun Time Academy.

Luna, a bright and energetic four-year-old, has made remarkable strides in her social-emotional development over the past year. With the support of her teachers at Fun Time Academy, she has grown more confident in expressing her feelings and recognizing “big emotions” like happiness, sadness, and frustration. Luna now enjoys playing with her peers, taking turns and sharing, demonstrating a blossoming sense of empathy.

At times, Luna used to struggle with expressing frustration, which could lead to emotional outbursts such as crying and laying on the floor. Through patience, connection, and the conscious discipline strategies that our teachers have learned in professional development, we supported Luna in managing her emotions. Simple coping strategies such as deep breathing, talking about feelings, or creating a picture for a loved one helped her navigate overwhelming moments. 

This journey was not Luna’s alone. Her mom partnered with our teachers, working alongside us to reinforce these strategies at home. As a working mother and student, she hadn’t always witnessed Luna’s frustration firsthand, but through collaboration, we created a consistent, nurturing approach to help Luna thrive. 

Success stories like Luna’s highlight the power of social-emotional learning in early childhood. With guidance and intentional teaching, children develop the resilience and self-awareness needed to handle their emotions in healthy ways. When they learn to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively, they build the foundation for a future of peaceful and cooperative interactions. 

At Fun Time Academy, we celebrate these milestones not just for the children but also for the families and educators who help shape them. 

Fun Time Early Childhood Academy would like to invite you to become part of efforts in our community to make a difference in the lives of underserved children from working families.

A $500 sponsorship will include your logo incorporated onto our summer t-shirt worn by over 200 students, staff and families in and around our community. As you can imagine, we have limited spots available for this opportunity. We would like to invite you to showcase your support for children’s education in Naples by completing the form below along with your contribution.

All sponsorship information must be received by Friday, May 2, 2025. Email your completed form and logo to cpolin@funtimeacademy.org.

Empower Futures

Through our partnership with Collier County Public Schools, we are proud to support the Teenage Parenting Program (TAPP) by providing a nurturing, high-quality early learning environment for 30 TAPP children.

This collaboration allows young parents the opportunity to continue their high school education with peace of mind, knowing their little ones are in a safe and caring space designed to foster growth and development. By supporting both parent and child, we help lay the foundation for strong, successful futures for all of them.

Stay up to date on what's happening at Fun Time Academy! Daily updates include:

• Photos and videos of students learning
• Resources
• Events
• "No school" updates

Follow us now and share what we've been up to. We want everyone to know about Fun Time Academy and love showcasing the growth of our students!

Check us out!

Through a Child's Eyes Art Show Event

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Larimart Gallery

2359 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 410

5 pm-7 pm

David Lawerence Center (DLC) Parent Night

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Downtown

102 12th Street N, Naples, FL 34102

4:30 pm-5:30 pm

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Collier CARES is a mobile app that connects people in need with vital resources and services in Collier County, Florida. Created by the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF) in partnership with the Collier Community Foundation and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, the app serves the most vulnerable populations in the county.

This free bilingual application provides users with information about critical resources and services available in Collier County. NCEF is dedicated to partnering with community leaders, stakeholders and service providers across the county to ensure that every family has access to the help they need in times of need.