Active phase for CECI capital campaign to begin next year
By MEGHAN BRADBURY
mbradbury@breezenewspapers.com
With one of the buildings heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian, The Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI) has begun the quiet phase of its capital campaign for Foundation Hall.
“Getting our doors fully opened will take our whole community stepping up together. Since 1974, we have served well over 1,000 island children and families. We would love to be able to say, lets go for another 52 years,” CECI Executive Director Corina Dekker said.
She said CECI has always had two buildings — a ground level building, and an elevated building. Hurricane Ian “pretty much destroyed” the ground level, main building.
The elevated building went through a remodel and renovation, as it is the sole building CECI is operating out of currently. There are 33 children enrolled in the school, comprising of 27 families.
Right now CECI offers a 2- and 3-year-old program, as well as the volunteer pre-kindergarten program.
CECI has a wait list for the 2- and 3-year-old program, as they are at capacity with the building they have.
“The conversation about the new building has been going on for a little while between the board and parent community,” Dekker said. “This is the time we really need to start putting things into place. We want to be able to say yes to more families. We would love to say yes to 45 to 50 children, especially with younger families moving to the island and more businesses and hospitality industry locations have reopened. We want to be that childcare environment for island workers.”
The new building will have the same footprint, but be elevated, so it is flood resistant and up to the current codes. CECI is also looking to revitalize the living campus aspect for their outdoor classroom and nature trails with the hope of partnering with nonprofits for summer camps and events.
The 2026-2027 board of directors have stepped into their roles at an exciting time — CECI operating at full capacity, this year’s priority of building the new Foundation Hall, and finishing the capital campaign.
The board of directors include President Lindsay Badger, Vice President Neva Torres, Treasurer & Grant Coordinator Christine Hungeling, Board Secretary Clare Stoa, Board Member Morgan Lemaitre, and Dekker, a non-voting board member.
“Our classrooms are full, and that is the best problem a school can have,” Badger said. “This year is about finishing what our community started. Foundation Hall will let us open our doors to more children and give young families one more reason to make the islands home.”
The board’s work is organized through the standing committees of maintenance, events, finance, media, capital campaign, and building committee.
The capital campaign’s goal is $2 million for Foundation Hall.
“Right now we are in the quiet phase,” Dekker said.
CECI received a lead gift of $250,000 from the Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation.
She said they will look into state, regional, and nonprofit childcare recovery grants to help fund their efforts.
Money will also be raised for an endowment fund.
“We are also hoping to raise $400,000 for the endowment fund for future expenses, teacher training and other things that may come our way,” Dekker said.
The hope is CECI will reach the active phase for its capital campaign in the spring or summer of 2027.
With the new building it can bring the 12-month and 18-month program back, as well as have additional space — multi-use space for a music program, and art studio, as well as extra space for other nonprofits to have events and programs.
“It’s a gem of a school. I have been on Sanibel since 2009 as a property owner,” Dekker said. “I have known about CECI for quite a long time.”
She said they sit on 5 acres of nature preserve.
“We are a nature-based school,” Dekker said. “We have a beautiful indoor facility and we meet all the requirements for nature based education.”
Dekker began in her new role as the executive director in July, giving her the opportunity to jump in during the last four weeks of summer camp.
“I started in July and was hired several months earlier, but stayed in Miami to finish my school year with the school I came from,” she said.
She was the Head of School at The Growing Place School, and executive director of the First United Methodist Church in Coral Gables.
Dekker has more than 25 years of early childhood leadership, bringing with her a combination of operational leadership and early childhood education.
She has joined the island’s Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, and is eager to meet the leaders of businesses, civic and nonprofit groups.
“Sanibel has been part of our family’s life for more than 15 years, and now it’s home for good. CECI is so much more than a school, it’s a community of families who show up for each other. I want to know the people who make this island work, and I’d love for every one of them to know CECI. It truly takes a village, and I can’t wait to meet ours,” Dekker said.
She is originally from the Netherlands and has lived in the United States since 1990. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from The Hotel school in The Hague and began her career in hospitality management, holding operations leadership roles with Hilton, Sheraton, and Hyatt hotels.
Her true calling for early childhood education came after she started a family, and since 2000 has dedicated her career to creating those high-quality learning experiences for young children.
A master’s degree was earned in educational leadership and administration from Nova Southeastern University.
Dekker’s belief lies within every child having their own unique talents, strengths, and abilities. She has a passion for supporting each child’s individual journey while championing the critical importance of early childhood education.
“Corina is exactly the leader CECI needs as we continue to grow and rebuild. She pairs real operational experience with a genuine love for children and for this island. The board is thrilled to have her, and we hope the whole community will help us welcome her,” Badger said.
In her new role at CECI, her focus is providing exceptional educational experiences, strengthening community connections, and building partnerships that benefit Sanibel’s children and families.