Janet Kahn, the founding CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County, is retiring at the end of June after more than two decades of leadership.
Since ELC’s inception in 2002, Kahn has directed the organization’s evolution beyond its core mission as a childcare connector into an innovative, community-driven, government-funded nonprofit that has shaped the local early education landscape.
“Over the 20 years I’ve worked with Janet, if there was a chance to ensure that those with the fewest resources could gain access to greater opportunities, she seized it,” said Kathleen Sullivan, ELC board member and VP of programs at Children First. “If there wasn’t such an opportunity, she created it. For her, championing those with the greatest need is not only a professional choice, it is a way of being.”
Kahn’s contributions include forming and strengthening relationships with foundations, other nonprofits, and the local business community to build impactful programs that filled service gaps. She emphasized cultivating respectful relationships with childcare providers, treating them as true partners to improve early education.
A legacy of innovation
Kahn’s creation of the Look for the Stars Quality Rating System stands as one of the defining milestones of her ELC career. Unveiled in 2007, the five-star rating system evaluates and assesses preschools based on positive teacher-child interactions and other research-based factors, offering families a transparent guide to identifying excellence in the early education realm.
“Before, there was no clear or consistent way for parents to identify high-quality care. Nor did we have a system to rate, track, elevate, or celebrate the work of local childcares,” Kahn said.
Under Kahn’s guidance, the ELC has continued to break ground with programs designed to remove barriers, boost early literacy and kindergarten readiness:
· Registered Apprenticeship Program: A first-of-its-kind, state-recognized early childhood education apprenticeship program. As the only ELC in Florida to offer this model, the program allows aspiring teachers to enter the field and enables current teachers to earn a professional credential at no cost.
· Star Babies: Launched in 2015, the 10-week certification program refines classroom quality through targeted training of infant/toddler teachers. Focuses on unique needs of age group, from safe sleep to brain development and early language.
· Bucket of Books: A community-wide initiative that places 100-plus free buckets of storybooks in waiting rooms of small businesses, ensuring children have access to read while they wait.
· Storybook Street: Introduced during the height of COVID, this annual literacy-meets-the-arts event brings books to life while building home libraries, distributing 20 free books per family to 400 families.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is the close-knit team we’ve built over the years,” Kahn said. “This group is small but mighty – always ready to jump in, lift one another up, and do whatever it takes to support the families we serve. Without a doubt, saying goodbye to this incredible team will be the hardest part of stepping away.”
The Early Learning Coalition’s board has created a search committee to identify Kahn’s successor in partnership with a nationally recognized HR consultant.
“As one of the first employees hired, I’ve had the privilege of watching the ELC grow and blossom under Janet’s leadership,” ELC’s client services manager Cleshia Bryant said. “Our office is filled with heart, laughter, and a deep sense of purpose. It’s more than just a workplace; it’s a second family.”
Submitted by Ana McClendon
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Janet Kahn, founding CEO of Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota, announces retirement
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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