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Our Kids Need Your Help

This Giving Tuesday, Support Your Nonprofit Child Care Partner

After Hurricane Ian, Child Care of Southwest Florida worked hard and fast to reopen centers, getting students back in the classroom so families could return to work. With public schools closed, we served as an essential caregiver for the entire family – including older siblings. It was a fulfilling opportunity for us to help keep our community’s current workforce employed while giving the next generation the high-quality early childhood education they need to succeed in the future.


Now, our kids need your help more than ever. While the centers were made safe to open, there are still damages to repair and equipment to replace due to the storm. Some of our needs aren’t storm-related but will help us provide the area’s best early childhood education, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

To help us continue to provide students, infant to five years, with a quality early childhood education at Child Care of Southwest Florida, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support one of the following needs:

  • Playground repairs and improvements
  • Building repairs and improvements
  • Classroom supplies and educational materials
  • Scholarship assistance
  • General fund
Your donation to Child Care of Southwest Florida helps us give a child and their family educational opportunities that will impact them for a lifetime. 

The cost of not investing in our children is staggering.
If a child does not receive high quality, early childhood education, they are:

25%

more likely
to drop out
of school

40%

more likely to
become a teen
parent

50%

more likely to be
placed in special
education

60%

more likely to
never attend
college

70%

more likely to
be arrested for a
violent crime

Make The Holidays Brighter For Local Children

More than 400 children in Child Care of Southwest Florida’s infant–VPK programs are hoping for a little extra holiday magic this season. Easily shop our Amazon Wish List and have your item delivered directly to us.
Shop Amazon Wish List

Donate Now for a Lifetime of Impact

As child advocates, we have a passion for building opportunities for families. Your donation to Child Care of Southwest Florida helps us give a child and their family educational opportunities that will impact them for a lifetime. Additionally, reliable child care empowers parents to become self-sufficient, productive members of their communities, benefiting their children and the entire community.

Young African-American girl with pineapples smiles into the camera while standing next to some bamboo.

One day of Child Care costs

$50

Young blond Caucasian boy smiles at the camera with Captain America shield in facepaint on his cheek

One week of Child Care costs

$250

This smiling young Hispanic girl is a Gift of Education scholarship recipient.

One month of Child Care costs

$1,083

This young, smiling Hispanic boy is a Gift of Education scholarship recipient.

One full year of Child Care costs

$13K

Please help our children and families by donating to the Gift of Education scholarship program!

Support with Tools for Learning

Looking for another way to support our children and teachers? Our Amazon Wish List makes it easy to donate classroom supplies, books, and learning materials that directly enrich a child’s day. Every item you give helps us create joyful, engaging learning environments where children can thrive.
Dorian holding a blue bag
Help Fill Our Wish List
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How Your Donation Helps Southwest Florida Families in Need

Donations are used to provide scholarships for families who otherwise couldn’t afford quality child care at our five highly accredited early learning centers. Additionally, our Family Resource Specialists engage the whole family, addressing needs such as parenting, budgeting, jobs, and adult education. By providing parents with a hand up, rather than a handout, you can help us change our community for the better, one family at a time!
"I love this daycare! My son will be here until he reaches the maximum age. This center is very family-oriented. The staff is wonderful and knows almost every parent on a first-name basis. They have great programs and always send home the best items for memories of your little one. We have been here almost a year now and I just love it!"
-Bee Taylor
"Omari started Messina Children’s Center when he was 3 and he immediately felt comfortable with the staff, he ended up attending until he turned 9. The program was great for me as a parent because I had to work 2 jobs and late nights and they were open late to deliver a great evening program for him. The center felt like home and the staff became like our family. The curriculum they provided affected my son so much that now he is in the gifted program in the school district and just got selected for the Carson Scholars college fund. Starting out with Childcare of Southwest Florida gave him a strong foundation and love for learning and I will always be grateful for that.”
-Ekaterine Jaoshvili
“All three of my girls attended Messina Children’s Center from 12 months to 8 years (one still attends). The staff at Messina are so involved and connected with parents and families. My girls are always talking about their teachers and all the fun things they do and did at Messina. My two school-aged girls get honor roll in public school now and my youngest is excelling in VPK at Messina. Once I saw how much my firstborn daughter was loved and learning so much there I knew when I had other kids that they would go there too. I have used the before and after school program as well because I am a working mother and have always felt blessed to know my girls would be nurtured and educated when I was at work.”
- Megan Renea
"I want to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to enroll my boys in the scholarship program. As a single mom of two little kids, it’s very hard financially. We live paycheck to paycheck. Now a days, day care costs are extremely high. If it weren’t for this program, I wouldn’t be able to work full-time because I could not afford the full cost of tuition. Now I have been given this opportunity to work and to provide for my children. This has been such a relief for me both financially and as a mother knowing my kids are in great care and are growing academically. Thank you again as I am truly appreciative of this program and the great help it continues to give to my family."
-J. P.
"Joseph H. Messina came to my rescue! I will always be thankful for their support and encouragement. I was going through a very difficult time, trying to get my life back on track. I was devastated. I could not afford full tuition for child care and was struggling. The Messina center offered me scholarship dollars which helped to stabilize my household and put food on the table during this difficult time. I was so overwhelmed by their commitment to our family that I started volunteering in the gardens. It was my therapy. Today I am strong, and I have found my happy place!"
-Allison A.
"Being a single mother with very few people I trust to take care of my child, this scholarship has meant me returning to work full time knowing that my daughter is able to be with the teachers who have helped raise her and mold her into the beautiful little soul she is. I’m excited that she will have the summer to refresh her mind and make sure she has the best foot forward when she attends kindergarten next fall! I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity!"
-Brianne M
"Saving grace is what first comes to mind during this trying time. Like many other families in the state of Florida, we held our breath and hunkered down during the COVID-19 pandemic. We took heed the advice from our government leaders and held tight to our little ones by creating a safe place within our home. As the state slowly began their phases of re-opening, we cautiously loosened our grip of protection. The calls to return to work were getting louder, yet we were unsure how to proceed without jeopardizing the health of our entire family. Without proper and safe childcare, we would not have the option of returning to our professions. Our saving grace was the CARES childcare scholarship. This gave us the hope and peace of mind to move forward with our new way of life. Hope was given to us by financial relief. We had no means of paying for safe childcare when we returned to work. Peace of mind was knowing our children were safe, loved and guided by the compassionate educators at The Children’s Learning Center of Southwest Florida. We are beyond grateful for this opportunity and for the devoted leadership of Director Martha Kebhart."
-E. S. L.
"I love this daycare! My son will be here until he reaches the maximum age. This center is very family-oriented. The staff is wonderful and knows almost every parent on a first-name basis. They have great programs and always send home the best items for memories of your little one. We have been here almost a year now and I just love it!"
-Bee Taylor
"Omari started Messina Children’s Center when he was 3 and he immediately felt comfortable with the staff, he ended up attending until he turned 9. The program was great for me as a parent because I had to work 2 jobs and late nights and they were open late to deliver a great evening program for him. The center felt like home and the staff became like our family. The curriculum they provided affected my son so much that now he is in the gifted program in the school district and just got selected for the Carson Scholars college fund. Starting out with Childcare of Southwest Florida gave him a strong foundation and love for learning and I will always be grateful for that.”
-Ekaterine Jaoshvili
“All three of my girls attended Messina Children’s Center from 12 months to 8 years (one still attends). The staff at Messina are so involved and connected with parents and families. My girls are always talking about their teachers and all the fun things they do and did at Messina. My two school-aged girls get honor roll in public school now and my youngest is excelling in VPK at Messina. Once I saw how much my firstborn daughter was loved and learning so much there I knew when I had other kids that they would go there too. I have used the before and after school program as well because I am a working mother and have always felt blessed to know my girls would be nurtured and educated when I was at work.”
- Megan Renea
“Thank you for helping to enroll me. I love it and have a great time. The teachers told my mama tLet me just say how blessed and thankful I am for having the opportunity to receive your support during these unprecedented times. I really have gained piece of mind knowing that childcare tuition for my son is financially secured while I return to work. I appreciate all of the hard work you do by helping not only me, but the community as well, with staying afloat financially during this crisis. God bless you all.hat they are so proud of me. I never cry and I am a very good student. This is my favorite place!”
-Jazmin P.
Saving grace is what first comes to mind during this trying time. Like many other families in the state of Florida, we held our breath and hunkered down during the COVID-19 pandemic. We took heed the advice from our government leaders and held tight to our little ones by creating a safe place within our home. As the state slowly began their phases of re-opening, we cautiously loosened our grip of protection. The calls to return to work were getting louder, yet we were unsure how to proceed without jeopardizing the health of our entire family. Without proper and safe childcare, we would not have the option of returning to our professions. Our saving grace was the CARES childcare scholarship. This gave us the hope and peace of mind to move forward with our new way of life. Hope was given to us by financial relief. We had no means of paying for safe childcare when we returned to work. Peace of mind was knowing our children were safe, loved and guided by the compassionate educators at The Children’s Learning Center of Southwest Florida. We are beyond grateful for this opportunity and for the devoted leadership of Director Martha Kebhart.
-E. S. L.
I want to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to enroll my boys in the scholarship program. As a single mom of two little kids, it’s very hard financially. We live paycheck to paycheck. Now a days, day care costs are extremely high. If it weren’t for this program, I wouldn’t be able to work full-time because I could not afford the full cost of tuition. Now I have been given this opportunity to work and to provide for my children. This has been such a relief for me both financially and as a mother knowing my kids are in great care and are growing academically. Thank you again as I am truly appreciative of this program and the great help it continues to give to my family.
-J. P.
Joseph H. Messina came to my rescue! I will always be thankful for their support and encouragement. I was going through a very difficult time, trying to get my life back on track. I was devastated. I could not afford full tuition for child care and was struggling. The Messina center offered me scholarship dollars which helped to stabilize my household and put food on the table during this difficult time. I was so overwhelmed by their commitment to our family that I started volunteering in the gardens. It was my therapy. Today I am strong, and I have found my happy place!
-Allison A.
Being a single mother with very few people I trust to take care of my child, this scholarship has meant me returning to work full time knowing that my daughter is able to be with the teachers who have helped raise her and mold her into the beautiful little soul she is. I’m excited that she will have the summer to refresh her mind and make sure she has the best foot forward when she attends kindergarten next fall! I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity!
-Brianne M

Ways to Donate

Three Child Care of Southwest Florida students create artwork with paintbrushes as one smiles at the camera.
There are many ways to give with Child Care of Southwest Florida. You can make a one-time donation, set up recurring gifts or leave a legacy through planned giving. However you wish to make your life-changing contribution, all donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated. Give now or contact us to learn more!
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(239) 278-1002

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Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc.

6831 Palisades Park Ct. Suite 6
Fort Myers, FL 33912
This young athlete gears up to participate in a sports competition.

How Scholarships Empower the Whole Family

Child Care of Southwest Florida proudly offers Primary Need Scholarships to students in our five early learning centers. These scholarships pick up where government assistance ends. Why is this important? It encourages economic progress. Often, working parents lose assistance as they make financial gains. However, at Child Care of Southwest Florida, parents pay what they can for the very best early childhood education, and scholarships fill the gap.

Education is the gift of a lifetime, and the return on your investment is enormous. Think of your contribution as an investment in the future of a child in need.
Please help our children and families by donating to the Gift of Education scholarship program!
Happy young toddler plays with blocks on her teacher’s lap.
Young African-American girl painting with teal and pink in her classroom while smiling at the camera
A young boy runs through a bounce house at Child Care of Southwest Florida.
This smiling student and her teacher dressed up in red and white constumes togetherFlorida.