Organization marking 65th anniversary, while CEO Tavill celebrating 30th year with nonprofit
Children First, “a nationally recognized nonprofit delivering high-quality early childhood education and family strengthening programs, is celebrating a defining year in its history,” the organization announced this week: It is “marking 65 years of strengthening children and families alongside 30 years of leadership by Chief Executive Officer Philip Tavill.”
Founded in 1961 by the Junior Welfare League — now the Junior League of Sarasota — “Children First has grown into one of the highest-performing Head Start organizations in the nation,” a news release points out. “Today, the agency ranks in the top 1% of more than 1,600 Head Start programs nationwide, reflecting decades of commitment to quality, accountability, and whole-family support,” the release says.
“Since joining Children First in 1996, Tavill has guided the organization through sustained growth and innovation” — expanding Early Head Start services to include infants as young as 6 weeks old, strengthening family-centered programming “and building partnerships that support children and families far beyond the classroom,” the release notes.
“That commitment continues to be recognized at the highest levels,” the release continues. “In 2025, Children First was accredited by the National Head Start Association as a Program of Excellence for the fifth time, earning that designation for the 2025-2030 term. This prestigious five-year recognition is awarded to programs that demonstrate the highest standards in management and service performance, ensuring measurable and lasting outcomes for children and families,” the release explains.
Children First also was “named one of the 2025 Best Nonprofits to Work For by The NonProfit Times — its third national recognition and second consecutive year of earning that accolade,” the release points out. The organization ranked No. 28 overall and No. 9 among mid-sized nonprofits nationwide, the release adds.
“As Children First reflects on its legacy,” the release continues, “it is also preparing for the future.” The public “is invited to celebrate these milestones at Children First’s 26th Annual Fairytale Ball: Little Lives, Lasting Legacy,” which will be held on Saturday, April 11. Proceeds from the event will directly “support Children First’s programs and services for children and families throughout Sarasota County,” the release notes.
“At multiple sites throughout Sarasota County,” the release explains, Children First offers full-day preschool, infant and toddler care, and nutrition and health care assistance” to children from birth to age 5 who live in low-income families. “Through Children First,” the release adds, “the children receive the social and cognitive skills needed to enter kindergarten and elementary school on track.”
For more information, call 941-953-3877 or visit childrenfirst.net.