Annette Eberhart has been an Early Childhood Educator for more than 15 years. She is the Owner/Director of Kidd’s R Us Family Childcare in the Tampa Bay area, continuous childhood advocate, and published childhood author. Annette joined FLAEYC because she believes it empowers early childhood educators through professional development, networking, and advocacy. She stays because “the members embrace diversity and place value on high quality Early Child Care.”

Annette’s favorite part of being in this profession is being a part of a child’s early stages of development and watching them experience the world around them as learn and grow. But she is quick to remind her peers that it isn’t just about the children, but the families, too. “As an educator, it’s important to me to establish trust and communication with children and families… I feel it’s important for us as educators to remember why we chose this path, even when we feel unappreciated. Ultimately, we are children’s first teachers. We prepare them for life. But we take on cultivating families, too, not just educating children.”

One of Annette’s favorite childhood books is one she published herself, Creative Hands. It teaches children how to be social and work together. The pictures are filled with diversity, relating to children’s early learning environment. This book helps young children to be creative and self-confident amongst their peers, a needed skill for success in kindergarten and in life.