OKEECHOBEE — The Education Foundation of Okeechobee is showcasing its Start The Sprout initiative, an effort to merge the local business and early learning communities to boost Okeechobee County’s kindergarten readiness rate.

The initiative aims to work directly with business owners, managers and stakeholders to encourage family-aligned policies. Small changes in the workplace can give parents the support they need to arrange quality childcare, allowing young children to learn vital foundational principles.

“If we want different outcomes, we have to start earlier,” said Education Foundation of

Okeechobee CEO Alaina Barron. “The path to graduation, a career and a thriving community doesn't start in high school. It starts in the earliest years of a child's life.”

The foundation publicly announced the initiative’s digital resource hub in a social media post. The microsite details the four steps of the campaign: plant, water, grow and harvest. Each phase of the campaign has simple, realistic ways that a business leader can create a more family-aligned work environment — some taking five minutes or less.

“Start The Sprout recognizes that early childhood education is one of the greatest opportunities we have to shape the future of Okeechobee County,” said Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation President Kaylee King. “By bringing together employers, educators and families, we are building a strong foundation for lifelong learning, workforce readiness and long-term economic prosperity.”

Example policies include adding a brief arrival buffer to factor in school drop-off, consistently scheduling employees on the same days to reduce last-minute childcare arrangements or simply referring to the local school calendar when planning shifts. The goal is twofold: ensuring working parents have the support they need to secure quality childcare and affirming that business owners can retain emerging professionals who have children.

Start The Sprout has met with local businesses to show tangible ways that local entities are already supporting these efforts, many without realizing it. Through social media posts on Facebook and Instagram; presentations at the Economic Council of Okeechobee and the Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County; and real-world examples on its website, the foundation seeks to build lasting momentum that shapes the future approach to early childhood education efforts.

About the Education Foundation of Okeechobee

As the recognized education foundation for Okeechobee County Schools since 1989, the Education Foundation of Okeechobee connects the community to classrooms — funding programs beyond what tax dollars cover. Through grants and private donations, the foundation provides resources and opportunities that help students thrive and educators succeed. By investing in education, the foundation seeks to strengthen the local workforce, grow the local economy and build a legacy for future generations.