The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) has awarded $25,000 in Kimelman Grants to 15 of the territory’s licensed child care centers.The grants range from $700 to $2,500 and cover a broad spectrum of initiatives, including the purchase of developmental and educational toys and books; workshops for staff professional development; improvements to playground areas; and the purchase of child-sized furnishings and equipment.
An evaluation committee comprised of early childhood professionals and parents conducted a rigorous review of proposals from centers on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Site visits to child care centers and interviews with center directors were conducted with the majority of applicants. In making decisions, the committee looked for proposals where the outcomes would be measurable and substantive, the budget was realistic and the funds would be used efficiently.
“We are extremely pleased that so many of the applicants met the criteria for the Kimelman Grants,” said CFVI’s president, Dee Baecher-Brown. “Assisting the professionals at these centers is another way for the Foundation to assist in improving the quality of early child care in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
Kimelman Grantsfor Quality in Early Childhood Education are an initiative of The Family Connection (TFC), which is CFVI’s program to enhance the early childhood environment in the USVI.
The grants were created by the Kimelman family in January 2009 in celebration of the 88th birthday ofCFVI’s founding donor, Ambassador Henry L. Kimelman.
Individuals or businesses wishing to know more about CFVI should call 774-6031, or visit the CFVI website at www.cfvi.net.
The 2009 Kimelman Grants for Quality in Early Childhood Education
Kimelman grants are targeted to assist child care centers in providing children with a safe environment, age appropriate activities and a wide variety of educational and social experiences that include but are not limited to: fine and gross motor skills, language development, creative expression, sensory experiences, music and movement, reading and math readiness, science, active outdoor play, socialization opportunities, and special events related to their interests and celebrations of holidays/cultural occasions.
Grantee: St. Croix Country Day School
Purpose: Building of cabinets and cubbies to provide storage areas where students can practice gross motor skills and learn independent physical functioning.
Award: $900
Island: St. Croix
Grantee: Bright Star Academy
Purpose: Purchase a variety of developmental toys for children to practice fine and gross motor skills, language development, creative expression, sensory experiences, music and movement. Also, purchase nursery carpets and cubbies to enahnce the physical space.
Award: $1500
Island: St. Croix
Grantee: Joyful Hearts
Purpose: Improve play environment by fencing in yard.to create a safe and comfortable environment with adequate space for movement and social expereinces with the children’s peers and adults.
Award: $2,500
Island: St. Croix
Grantee: Kids R Us
Purpose: Purchase a variety of educational toys to assist with preparing children for reading and math readiness, science, and for language development. Cots, toddler tables and chairs will be purchased to enahance the environment with size-appropriate furnishings.
Award: $2,500
Island: St. Croix
Grantee: Stone House Preschool – Estate Diamond
Purpose: Provide a four-day staff development workshop to enahance the skills of childcare providers in the knowledge of children’s social and emotional development, approaches to learning, language, development and cognition.
Award: $1,500
Island: St. Croix
Grantee: Stone House Preschool – Estate St. John
Purose: Provide a four-day staff development workshop to enahance the skills of child care providers in the knowledge of children’s social and emotional development, approaches to learning, language development and cognition.
Award: $1,500
Island: St. Croix
Grantee:: LaPetite – Estate Whim
Purpose: To purchase a variety of developmentally appropriate Kaplan toys, and child-sized tables and chairs.
Award: $1,800
Island: St. Croix
Grantee:: LaPetite – Estate White Bay
Purpose: To purchase a variety of toddler tables and chairs and developmental toys for children to practice fine and gross motor skills, language development, creative expression, sensory experiences, music and movement.
Award: $1,800
Island: St. Croix
Grantee:: Landivej Academy
Purpose: To purchase a variety of developmental toys for children to practice fine and gross motor skills, language development, creative expression, sensory experiences, music and movement. Also, to purchase nap cots and toddler furniture.
Award: $2,500
Island: St. Thomas
Grantee: Angles of Love
Purpose: To make improvements to the play area and purchase playground equipment to create a safe and comfortable environment with adequate space for movement and social expereinces with the children’s peers and adults.
Award: $1,000
Island: St. Thomas
Grantee: Little Blossom Day Care
Purpose: To purchase indoor and outdoor developmental toys and books to help the children’s development of gross and fine motor skills and language skills.
Award: $2,212
Island: St. Thomas
