Paving the road to a brighter future.

An exceptional preschool for exceptional children.

  • IMPACT for Developmental Education, Inc. provides a safe, developmentally appropriate learning environment for all preschool-aged children as well as in-home instruction for the parents of infants and toddlers with special needs.


OUR MISSION

  • INDIVIDUALITY

    The IMPACT program philosophy embraces each child’s unique abilities, interests, and strengths in a variety of settings that value the individual’s progress at their own rate.

  • SAFETY

    The mission of IMPACT is to provide a safe, developmentally appropriate learning environment for all preschool-aged children.

  • EDUCATION

    Children engage in stimulating educational experiences that promote communication skills, and social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development providing them with tools to become lifelong learners.

  • 0 - 3 YEARS OLD: EARLY ADVANCEMENT

    Early Steps is an early intervention program serving children ages 0-3 with developmental delays or disabilities and their families at home and in their communities in Southwest Florida.

    Learn More

  • PRE-K: SPECIAL EDUCATION

    The Pre-kindergarten Exceptional Student Education Program offers a variety of program models and options for children from age three through five who have been identified with a specific disability.

    Learn More

Meet our staff.

IMPACT for Developmental Education, Inc. is run by an Executive Director, a Board of Directors, and a highly qualified support staff of teachers and therapists.

  • Maxine Gibbs

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Kimberly Dawson

    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

  • Ron Edenfield

    CHAIRMAN

  • Mike Rohrbacher

    VICE CHAIRMAN

  • Pam Wagner

    SECRETARY

  • Melinda Pittman

    DIRECTOR

  • Brandon Johnson

    DIRECTOR

  • Cherie Horner

    DIRECTOR

  • John Rae

    DIRECTOR

  • Kenia Espinal

    DIRECTOR

  • Erika Cooks

    DIRECTOR

  • Alian Lopez

    TEACHER

  • Priscilla Draper

    LEAD TEACHER ASSISTANT

  • Victoria Sheffield

    LEAD TEACHER ASSISTANT

  • Nichole Dimas

    TEACHER ASSISTANT

  • Christine Gorski

    OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

  • Sara O'Hara

    OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

  • Katherine Ritz

    PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Apply to be an IMPACT teacher today!

Are you a compassionate and dedicated educator with a Florida State Pre-K to Grade 3 certification, and have a passion for supporting young children with special needs or disabilities? Do you have the skills and expertise to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for children aged 3-5 years old? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as a Special Education Pre-K Teacher immediately.

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Make an impact today.

Support a child and help give them the ability to experience a whole new world!

OUR PARTNERS

IMPACT for Developmental Education, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization focused on the advancement of children from birth to age 5. Formed by a group of parents in 1979, IMPACT was developed as a necessity to provide services and support for children with special needs.

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 FAQs

  • Impact South – Drop off time is between 8:30 and 9:00 and pick up time for car riders is 2:30-2:45. School Starts at 9:00 am and ends at 2:20 pm

    Impact West – Drop off time is between 7:30 and 8:00 and pick up time for car riders is 1:30-1:45. School Starts at 8:00 am and ends at 1:20 pm

  • At this time we do not provide before and after care for children.

  • We are now registering children for our summer program.

    Pre-K: 3 years old – 5 years old

    8:30 am – 12:30 pm Monday – Friday
    June 20, 2025 – July 29, 2025 (closed on July 4th)

    Locations: 1650 Medical Lane STE4 Fort Myers, FL 33907

    701 Mohawk Pkwy Cape Coral, FL 33914

    For more information call or to register call: 239-334-6160 or email: kim.dawson@impactforkids.org

    Registration Deadline: May 27th, 2025

    • You will need to provide your child with a lunch and snack daily. Please pack either a dry lunch or if your child prefers a warm meal, we provide a microwave at the facility.

    • Your child will need a small beach towel or small blanket for rest time. The blankets will be sent home at the end of each week to be washed. Please remember to put your child’s towel or blanket in his/her backpack each Monday.

    • In case of accidents, please make sure a complete change of clothes is in your child’s backpack everyday.

    • We work on potty training throughout the day. To increase your child’s independent self-help skills, we ask that you send your child in clothes that are easy for them to pull up and down. If your child is still wearing diapers or pull-ups send a minimum of 5 per day. For those who choose pull-ups please make sure they have Velcro sides.

  • We will send notes home to keep you apprised of classroom happenings. Should you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

  • We have FGCU music therapy where students can come in once a week for the semester, as well as dog therapy for the kids.

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