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Fun Time Early Childhood Development Academy has been providing children from low-income families with quality, affordable care and education for 45 years. A United Way of Collier County partner agency and not-for-profit organization, Fun Time is moving into a brand-new facility in March.

Fun Time executive director Franny Kain said the expansion is needed to ensure low-income children aren’t behind other kids before they even register for school.

“It’s all about leveling the playing field,” Kain said. “Study after study shows that if you can help children when they are very young, then they are one step up when they get into kindergarten. And when you don’t, the gap between them and their peers widens very quickly.”

The new 8,000 square foot facility will be located on 12th Street N. and will allow for new programs like family dinners.

“We want to educate the parents on how important their role is too,” she said. “And it was difficult to include them in our current space.”

Right now, the academy serves about 50 children from 1 to 5 years in age. The new building will increase enrollment to 75. Tuition is funded through various organizations, including Head Start funds, state subsidies and scholarships. Some families pay a small fee.

“United Way is one of our biggest donors, and their funds play an ongoing role in keeping our services affordable,” Kain said. “Their board has been with us every step of the way.”

In fact, in 2006, the academy faced serious financial troubles, mostly from damage suffered during Hurricane Wilma.

“The United Way and the Community Foundation each contributed emergency funds to keep us running, and that allowed us to get back onto sound footing,” said Kain.

Fun Time is on sound footing now — evidenced by expansions in both square footages and programs.

“Most of our referrals are from parents whose children attend Fun Time. It’s about trust,” she said. “When they bring their children to us, they’re trusting us to do the best for them.”

Kain said early education is important because young children need to learn motor, social, cognitive, and language skills in order to be prepared for school. And parents can sometimes be too stressed to spend enough quality time with their children. That can contribute to a lack of early educational support.

To fill that gap, Fun Time has established criteria that exceed state standards for teacher certification, rigorous accreditation, conducting screenings and assessments to make sure each child’s needs are met. They also provide free, nutritious meals.

For information, call Fun Time at (239) 261-8284. Citizens can contribute financially or through volunteer efforts by contacting the United Way of Collier County at (239) 261-7112.

This series of stories on agencies funded by the United Way of Collier County was provided by the organization. The stories are part of the 2007-08 fund-raising campaign to raise $2.8 million for agency partners. For information, call (239) 261-7112.