"An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer"

Ida Barbour Early Learning Center – New Discoveries

Look into the eyes of every child and you will see their eagerness to learn. There’s a spark with each new discovery. And each new discovery is a step in the pathway to future learning. At Ida Barbour Early Learning Center, we prepare each child for success in school, in community, and in life. Our aim is to enhance quality of life for at-risk children and their families by providing care in a safe, nurturing, and highly enriching environment. Our staff of loving, giving, and nurturing educators focuses every effort toward providing each child with the best opportunity to succeed in life.

Our Vision

Historic Ida Barbour Early Learning Center is a welcoming, safe, healthy and stimulating environment that facilitates the educational, personal and physical development of children and their families.

Our Mission

Ida Barbour Early Learning Center will prepare children for success in school, success in the community and success in life.

The 67th Annual Fish Bowl Parade

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Many of the teachers, children, parents, and Board Directors of Ida Barbour ELC participated in this year’s Fish Bowl Parade in Downtown Portsmouth.  This was the first time that IBELC has participated in the annual event and it was a great success!  As you can see, the children had a great time riding on the float (which they helped to decorate) and marching in the parade.  We look forward to participating in many more events like this in the future!

 

Ms. Kristia Brinkley Has Retired

Posted on by ibelcarengee Posted in IBELC

The Board of Directors, parents, and staff of Ida Barbour ELC are sad to announce the retirement of longtime employee Ms. Kristia Brinkley.  A dedicated teacher at the center for over 15 years, Ms. Brinkley filled nearly every position at IBELC at times, filling in wherever she was needed.  She had a particular fondness for the infants, as well as the Pre-K students.  Although she may be retiring, Ms. Brinkley is not quite ready to leave “her babies” entirely, and still plans to spend a few hours a week at the center.  We wish her well, and hope that retirement allows her to spend time with her cherished family.

[meteor_slideshow  slideshow= “ms-brinkleys-retirement” ]

Join Us for the 67th Annual Fish Bowl Parade!

Posted on by ibelcarengee Posted in IBELC

This year, the faculty and students of Ida Barbour ELC will be participating in the 67th annual Fish Bowl Parade.  A Portsmouth tradition, the parade will take place on Saturday, September 27th at 10:00am.  Beginning at I. C. Norcom High School, the parade will travel down London Boulevard to Effingham Street, cross over High Street, and continue down County Street to Crawford Street.  The parade ends at the corner of Crawford and High Streets.  Plan to arrive early to find the best view location as parking is limited and certain streets will be closed before the parade begins.  We hope to see you there!

fish bowl poster

 

Friends of Ida Barbour ELC

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We are currently in the process of creating “Friends of Ida Barbour”, a network of donors and volunteers who are interested in seeing our center thrive and expand. Making a contribution to “Friends of Ida Barbour” is an excellent way to become more involved with our organization.  “Friends of Ida Barbour” will receive a quarterly newsletter providing updates on our recent accomplishments and milestones, as well as information on any upcoming events.  If you are interested, please complete this “Friends of Ida Barbour ELC” contact form.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR COMMUNITY

 

Ida Barbour (1878-1925)

Ida Barbour (1878-1925)