Community Family Development

Today, Community Family Development was proud to join community leaders, partners, and changemakers at the Economic Justice & Mobility Summit: Building Pathways from Survival to Thriving, hosted by the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet and DAY ONE Early Learning Community at Scenic Hudson’s Northside Hub.

The conversations reinforced something we see every day: economic mobility and access to quality childcare are deeply connected. Families need more than opportunities for employment—they need affordable, reliable childcare, stable housing, transportation, and pathways to careers that allow them to truly thrive.

We appreciated the opportunity to explore barriers, identify solutions, and think collectively about what it will take to build stronger pathways for individuals and families throughout our community.

At CFD, we’re proud to be part of this work because when families have the resources and support they need to succeed, children, families, and our entire community benefit.

🌟 Bright Beginnings Happen Here! 🌟

At Community Family Development, every day is filled with opportunities to play, explore, create, and grow. Whether our children are building with blocks, shaping letters with playdough, creating art, or using their imaginations, these everyday moments are building important skills for the future.

Through hands-on learning, our children are developing confidence, creativity, problem-solving skills, friendships, and a love of learning—all while having fun! 💙💚❤️💛
At CFD, we believe every child deserves a place where they can Play. Learn. Grow. Belong.
❤️ Children. 💛 Families. 💜 Stronger Communities.

🎙️ CFD on Walsh Wednesday 🎙️

We’re excited to share that our CEO recently joined Walsh Wednesday for a conversation about Community Family Development, the important role child care plays in Dutchess County, and the work happening to support children, families, and our community.

Quality child care is more than a service for families—it is an essential part of a strong community and a strong workforce. Conversations like these help bring greater awareness to the needs of families, the challenges facing child care providers, and the collaborative work underway to build a stronger early childhood system.

🎧 Listen to Walsh Wednesday Ep. 87: Jaime Hyla w/ Community Family Development in Dutchess County

https://open.spotify.com/episode/78GguzppMDog1QyE5soC1k?si=qN7aSAg8T0G-yCLlkPVZEg&utm_source=copy-link

👉 Tune in on Spotify and hear more about CFD’s work and our commitment to helping children and families thrive.

Thank you to Walsh Wednesday for the opportunity to share our story and highlight the importance of early childhood education in our community!

Also a huge shout out to our friends at Impact PR & Communications for connecting us!

Our apple theme is in full swing! This week, our little learners are getting hands-on with apples—smelling, touching, observing, and exploring this favorite fall fruit.

Moments like this may look simple, but they are packed with learning! Sensory exploration encourages curiosity, builds vocabulary, supports early science skills, and gives children the opportunity to discover the world around them at their own pace.

We love watching our teachers turn everyday experiences into meaningful learning opportunities! 🍎

From little learners to kindergarteners! We are so proud of these two friends who started kindergarten last week after growing, learning, and making so many special memories here at CFD.

It is such a bittersweet feeling watching children who have been part of our program take their next big step. We’ve had the joy of watching them grow through the years, build friendships, discover their strengths, and become confident little learners. We will miss seeing their smiling faces each day, but we are so excited to see all that they will accomplish!

Once a CFD kid, always a CFD kid. We are cheering you on every step of the way!

A little imagination, a little creativity, and a whole lot of fun! Our preschool friend is very proud of creating her very own playdough volcano. From shaping and building to exploring how things work, hands-on play gives our little learners the opportunity to experiment, problem-solve, and let their imaginations take the lead. An added bonus--fine motor skill development! Look at what a little playdough can do!! 🩷

The kitchen is open, and our little chefs are hard at work! Dramatic and imaginative play is so much more than just pretending—it’s an important part of early childhood development. Through play, children practice communication, cooperation, problem-solving, sharing, turn-taking, and social-emotional skills while using their creativity and imagination.

Whether they’re cooking up a pretend meal, serving their friends, or taking on different roles, our preschoolers are learning valuable skills while having fun. At CFD, we believe some of the best learning happens through play!

Little friends, big lessons! Watching these two little guys play, share, and enjoy time together is what toddlerhood is all about. From taking turns to learning how to play alongside one another, every moment is an opportunity to build friendships, practice kindness, and grow together. CFD celebrates every milestone, and this photo shows so much learning in action! 💚

Today we’re celebrating Sara’s 2-year work anniversary with Community Family Development!

Over the past two years, Sara has brought leadership, creativity, positivity, and a genuine commitment to the children, families, and team at CFD. Her dedication helps make our center a welcoming place where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Please join us in congratulating Sara on two amazing years and thanking her for everything she brings to the CFD family! 🌟

Happy 2-Year Anniversary, Sara! Here’s to many more! 🎉

That sweet smile says it all! This little guy is having the best time exploring, learning, and making happy memories in the classroom. We love watching our youngest learners grow, discover new things, and feel safe, loved, and excited to be here each day. Those little smiles make our day at CFD! Yay for tummy time! 😊