CAMPBELL PARK NETWORK FOR EARLY LEARNING (CPNEL):

Through a generous gift made by Jamie and Jane Egasti, the Campbell Park Network for Early Learning, an initiative launched in August of 2021, seeks to transform the lives of preschoolers and their families in the historic South St. Petersburg neighborhood.

The Campbell Park Network for Early Learning focuses on increasing kindergarten readiness of children, ages birth through four, who live in the Campbell Park/South St. Petersburg community. We train licensed early learning providers, parents, caregivers, and community members on a core set of knowledge and competencies, that facilitates development of key skills that equip children for success in kindergarten. The following components are included:

• Early learning teachers receive bi-weekly coaching sessions focused on the practical application of early language concepts. Using strategies of modeling, reflection, reading articles, watching short videos of best practices and methods our early learning coach helps to improve the early learning environment and help teachers to implement these efforts successfully.
• Caregivers, with children birth through five years, can participate in weekly interactive Learn and Play sessions focused on building early literacy and language skills. Sessions teach caregivers how children learn through play and how to promote math and literacy through everyday conversation and activities. Four weekly Learn and Play groups are currently being offered, along with mobile play groups for partner childcare centers and pop-up groups at community sites.

Teachers and caregivers are connected to additional services through referrals to the Campbell Park Resource Center in order to address needs such as food security, financial or legal services and continued education or workforce training.

We are currently supporting 8 childcare centers/family childcare homes with plans to expand to an additional 7 in the upcoming year.

➜ To learn more about the Campbell Park Network for Early Learning Family Engagement Opportunities, please contact Ulas Butler at ubutler@uwsuncoast.org or call (727) 274-0997.

➜ To learn more about the Campbell Park Network for Early Learning Professional Development Opportunities for current early learning educators and childcare centers, please contact Michele Brown at mbrown@uwsuncoast.org.

➜ Volunteer We are seeking corporate and civic volunteers to support a variety of tasks for this initiative. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our Volunteer Portal.