First 8 Memphis

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First 8 Memphis First 8 Memphis was created to help achieve equity and opportunity across two generations. Our system

Earn while you learn, and build your future in early childhood education!We are supporting a local cohort of up to 15 as...
10/16/2026

Earn while you learn, and build your future in early childhood education!

We are supporting a local cohort of up to 15 aspiring early childhood educators through the Lipscomb University Foundations to Futures program. 💚💜

This apprenticeship combines hands-on experience in an early learning setting with a fully online, three-year bachelor’s degree pathway in early childhood education. Funding is available for qualifying participants to cover tuition, books, and related educational expenses.

✨ Gain classroom experience
💻 Complete coursework online
💡 Engage with in-person coaching & professional development
🎓 Earn your Bachelor’s degree
💚 Receive a semester stipend

Applications are due Friday, October 23. We'll review all applicants and notify selected participants by November 2.

👉 Apply here: https://bit.ly/F8MLearnEarn

Questions? Contact Timberly Taylor at [email protected].

There are plenty of ways to be part of the 2027 Early Care & Education Conference!Whether you’re looking to attend, shar...
10/14/2026

There are plenty of ways to be part of the 2027 Early Care & Education Conference!

Whether you’re looking to attend, share your expertise, connect with the early childhood community, or support the conference, there’s a place for you here.

👉 Attend — Join us for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration.

📣 Speak — Submit a workshop proposal and bring your ideas, practices, or perspectives to the conference.

👏 Exhibit — Showcase your organization, resources, or services in the Conference Marketplace.

💚 Sponsor — Support a day dedicated to learning and collaboration across the early childhood field.

How will you show up? However you choose to participate, we hope you’ll join us on April 3, 2027, at BRIDGES USA. ✨

🔗 Learn more: first8memphis.org/ece-conference 🔗

💚 The First 8 Memphis Early Care & Education Conference is back! 💜Join us Saturday, April 3, 2027, at BRIDGES, USA, for...
10/13/2026

💚 The First 8 Memphis Early Care & Education Conference is back! 💜

Join us Saturday, April 3, 2027, at BRIDGES, USA, for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration as we come together to strengthen early care and education across Memphis and Shelby County.

⏰ Early Bird Registration is $50 through December 7. Your registration includes access to keynote and breakout sessions, breakfast and lunch, conference swag, CEU opportunities, and more.

👥 Bringing your team? Groups of 5 or more receive 10% off registration.

We hope you’ll join us as we Innovate. Inspire. Impact. together!

🔗 Learn more and register: http://first8memphis.org/ece-conference

🎉 We’re proud to round out our 2026 National Learning Scholarship recipient series by introducing Melissa R. Smith, the ...
09/30/2026

🎉 We’re proud to round out our 2026 National Learning Scholarship recipient series by introducing Melissa R. Smith, the fifth of five local early childhood professionals headed to the ZERO TO THREE LEARN Conference!

Melissa is an Inclusion Support Supervisor with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Community Outreach, bringing 30 years of early childhood education experience to her work with children, families, educators, and community partners. 💚 💜

At the conference in October, Melissa looks forward to gaining new strategies to help families advocate for their children, support educators addressing developmental and behavioral concerns, and connect families with medical and early intervention services.

She plans to share what she learns across Methodist Le Bonheur and with partners, including Tennessee Early Intervention Services, extending the impact across our community. ✨

That’s what this investment is about: turning national learning into stronger local practices, ultimately leading to better outcomes for young children and families.

💡 For the second year, First 8 Memphis secured funding through the Lemon Street Fund to provide five local early childhood professionals with up to $2,000 toward conference registration, travel and lodging.

💚 💜 Help us invest in the people who strengthen early childhood by donating to First 8 Memphis today: https://www.first8memphis.org/donate

🎉 Meet the fourth of our five National Learning Scholarship recipients: Cetria Smith!Cetria is the Next Memphis / Head S...
09/23/2026

🎉 Meet the fourth of our five National Learning Scholarship recipients: Cetria Smith!

Cetria is the Next Memphis / Head Start Education Coordinator with Porter-Leath. With 18 years of early childhood education experience, she now supports new ECE partners, educators, and program owners.

At the ZERO TO THREE LEARN Conference this October, Cetria is looking forward to exploring how technology is reshaping early childhood and family support, strengthening early intervention, and deepening trauma-informed and reflective practices.

Cetria plans to turn what she learns into practical PD sessions, resource guides, and reflection tools that educators can use in their classrooms and programs. That’s what this investment is all about: equipping local early childhood professionals with knowledge they can turn into stronger practices, stronger programs, and better outcomes across our community. ✨

💡 For the second year, First 8 Memphis secured funding through the Lemon Street Fund to provide five local early childhood professionals with up to $2,000 to attend the conference.

💚💜 Help us invest in the people who strengthen early childhood by donating to First 8 Memphis today: https://www.first8memphis.org/donate

📣 FINAL WEEK: Pre-K program funding opportunities are available for the 2026–27 school year! We are seeking early childh...
09/21/2026

📣 FINAL WEEK: Pre-K program funding opportunities are available for the 2026–27 school year!

We are seeking early childhood education providers interested in receiving funding for Pre-K programs beginning January 2027. The required Interest & Eligibility Form is due this Friday, September 25. Eligible, high-priority providers will then be invited to submit a full application.

Don’t miss this opportunity to partner with First 8 Memphis and help expand access to high-quality Pre-K for more children and families across Memphis and Shelby County. 💚💜

🔗 Review the application process and submit your Interest & Eligibility Form today: first8memphis.org/pre-k/

🎉 We’re excited to introduce the third of our five National Learning Scholarship recipients: Breka Moore-Stone!💚💜 Breka ...
09/16/2026

🎉 We’re excited to introduce the third of our five National Learning Scholarship recipients: Breka Moore-Stone!

💚💜 Breka is a Community Health Educator with Le Bonheur Children's Hospital Outreach, bringing 20 years of early childhood education experience to her work supporting children, families, and early childhood professionals.

“It is important that every child has the opportunity to learn early, starting at birth.”

✨ At the ZERO TO THREE LEARN Conference this October, Breka is especially looking forward to expanding her knowledge of child development, early identification and intervention, inclusive practices, and family-centered support. She's also eager to bring new tools and evidence-based practices back to Memphis’ early childhood community!

That’s what this investment is about: creating opportunities for local early childhood professionals to learn nationally and strengthen the work happening right here at home.

💡 For the second year, we have secured funding through the Lemon Street Fund to provide five local early childhood professionals with up to $2,000 toward conference registration, travel, and lodging.

💚💜 Help us invest in the people who strengthen early childhood by donating to First 8 Memphis today: https://www.first8memphis.org/donate

🎉 We’re excited to introduce our second 2026 National Learning Scholarship recipient: Shanice Gray, Kindergarten Teacher...
09/09/2026

🎉 We’re excited to introduce our second 2026 National Learning Scholarship recipient: Shanice Gray, Kindergarten Teacher at Beacon College Prep!

Shanice has made lifelong learning a priority in her own career. Along with degrees in early childhood education and teaching and learning, she is now pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership, with long-term goals of opening her own early childhood centers and mentoring the next generation of educators. 🎓✨

At the ZERO TO THREE Conference, Shanice is especially interested in exploring how technology is shaping early learning and how earlier identification and support can better serve children with autism and their families.

This is the ripple effect we want to create by investing in our early childhood workforce. New knowledge that reaches classrooms, colleagues, children, and families across our community.

👀 WHO’S NEXT? Come back next Wednesday as we reveal another one of our five 2026 National Learning Scholarship recipients!

💚 💜 Help us invest in more of the people who strengthen early childhood by donating to First 8 Memphis today: https://www.first8memphis.org/donate

📣 Pre-K program funding applications for the 2026-27 school year are NOW OPEN! 💚💜We are seeking early childhood educatio...
09/08/2026

📣 Pre-K program funding applications for the 2026-27 school year are NOW OPEN! 💚💜

We are seeking early childhood education providers interested in receiving funding for Pre-K programs beginning January 2027! Ready to take the first step? Complete the required Interest & Eligibility Form by September 25. Eligible, high-priority providers will then be invited to submit a full application.

💻 Have questions? Join our virtual Applicant Information Session on Tuesday, September 15, at 9:30 a.m.

Help us continue expanding access to high-quality Pre-K for children and families across Memphis and Shelby County. ✨

🔗 To get complete details about the application process, along with links to submit the interest form and RSVP for the virtual info session visit: first8memphis.org/pre-k/ 🔗

📣 There’s still time to sign up! This Thursday, September 10. We are hosting a virtual info session with Lipscomb Univer...
09/08/2026

📣 There’s still time to sign up! This Thursday, September 10. We are hosting a virtual info session with Lipscomb University about Foundations to Futures, an innovative workforce development program creating new pathways for early childhood professionals. 💚💜

Participants can earn stackable credentials and degrees, gain hands-on experience, and build valuable professional connections while advancing their careers. 🎓✨

First 8 Memphis will support a local cohort participating in the
program as part of our commitment to investing in educators while strengthening our early childhood workforce.

Join us on Zoom 1-2 p.m. this Thursday! Registration is required.

👉 Sign up today: bit.ly/f8mfoundations

Address

1350 Concourse Avenue Suite 481
Memphis, TN
38103

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19015635921

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