Recognition highlights a strong culture where team members are engaged, enabled to grow, and dedicated to the mission of empowering communities to rise above generational poverty
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 2, 2026) — ECS4Kids, a leading early education and family services provider in Florida and Georgia, announced today it has been named a 2026 Top Workplace by the Florida Times-Union. Out of hundreds of Jacksonville companies and organizations that were considered for the recognition, ECS4Kids ranked among the top 20 for large organizations.
“This recognition belongs to our people,” said Dr. Natalya Roby, President and CEO of ECS4Kids. “We are intentional about creating a culture where people feel seen, heard and supported, especially as our organization grows. Our educators, family support teams, and leaders show up for children and families every day by leading with love, demonstrating compassion and dedication to ensure every child has a strong start.”
The Florida Times-Union’s Top Workplaces awards recognize organizations in the Jacksonville area based solely on employee feedback collected through a third-party survey that measures key drivers of workplace culture, including engagement and growth. Employee responses from within ECS4Kids’ team of over 1,000 staff members across Florida and Georgia placed the organization among the Top Workplaces, earning its highest scores in two areas:
- Enabled to Grow: Employees feel supported by supervisors, receive helpful feedback, and have frequent opportunities to learn, develop, and work at their full potential.
- Engaged: Employees report strong overall satisfaction, high motivation, and a willingness to recommend working at ECS4Kids to others.
The Top Workplace recognition comes during a milestone year for ECS4Kids as the organization marks its 60th anniversary of serving children and families. Additionally, in 2025 ECS4Kids expanded services in Duval County and extended its work into Georgia, where the organization is delivering Head Start services across 10 counties supported by a federal grant.
“The pace of growth in the past year means we increased our workforce by 37% from 2024 to 2025, and sustaining a strong culture through that kind of growth takes incredible commitment at every level,” Dr. Roby added. “Not only that, but a strong workplace culture is a critical building block for stronger communities. Access to quality, affordable and reliable childcare means parents can confidently enter the workforce and their children are positioned for long-term academic success – two key components of a thriving economy.”
About ECS4Kids
ECS4Kids is a nationally recognized leader in early childhood education, utilizing data-driven practices with demonstrable outcomes to provide strong learning for children, support and education for parents and professional development for teachers. With one in every five children living below the poverty line, our interventions create a lifetime of outcomes for long-term health and success in life. With our latest expansions in Duval County, Florida and 10 additional counties in Georgia, ECS4kids directly supports nearly 30,000 children and families through our holistic suite of services. Our offerings are tailored to the needs of the communities we serve and include comprehensive education, health and nutrition services financial assistance, and coaching for childcare centers to improve their outcomes.
Media Contact:
Brady Koch
Brady.Koch@ecs4kids.org
