Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County

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VPK enrollment is now open for the 2024-2025 school year!

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Manatee Conference on Young Children (MCYC) 2024

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2024 DeSoto Children's Parade & ELC Party in the Park

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Join us in celebration of Stand For Children Day across the USA!

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Working With the Local Community

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How the ELC Makes a Difference…

Watch to see how the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County impacts our local community!

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School Readiness

Child Care Tuition Assistance for Eligible Families

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Florida VPK

Register Online

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Locate a VPK Provider

In Your Neighborhood

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Donate

Make a gift to The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County

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Professional Development

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CALLING ALL SUPERHEROES...

Join us for Family Nights at the South Florida Museum, ArtCenter Manatee, and Manatee Central Library!

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In the Spotlight

ELC AWARDED $10,000 GRANT FROM BRADENTON KIWANIS TO FUND THE READINGPALS PROGRAM

The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Bradenton Kiwanis Club to help fund the highly impactful ReadingPals program! You can read all about how this grant will impact children in Manatee County here.

ELC HELPS STAFF THE FUTURE WITH SUCCESSFUL PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) and Manatee Technical College (MTC) teamed up in the spring of 2022 to launch the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program's Pre-Apprenticeship course to help close the employment gap at child care centers in Manatee County. This course provides the necessary training for students to start at an entry-level position within the child care industry.

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ELC AWARDED GRANT FROM BISHOP PARKER FOUNDATION

The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) has been generously awarded a $50,000 grant from the Bishop Parker Foundation to support the Spot On Program. With this exciting new program, the ELC is helping to ensure more children are developmentally Spot On!

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HCA FLORIDA BLAKE HOSPITAL JOINS ELC FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES DRIVE

HCA Florida Blake Hospital is thrilled to announce a new initiative with the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County to create the School Supply Station, a dedicated space for teachers to access school supplies to create dynamic classroom environments without bearing a financial burden. Caregivers at HCA Florida Blake Hospital are collecting school supplies in July, and the hospital is donating $5,000 to support the new program. To close out this inaugural school supply drive, we are calling on the community to help Stock the Station!

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Working for the Success of Manatee County's Children

Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County • 600 8th Avenue W., Suite 100 • Palmetto, FL • 941.757.2900


OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Thursday 7am-6pm
Fridays 8am-Noon


For Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) services, please contact us at:
Family Services - 941-757-2900 x2200 or familyservices@elc-manatee.org
Provider Services - 941-757-2900 x2300 or providerrelations@elc-manatee.org

About the Coalition

Providing high quality school readiness opportunities for all children and their families, focusing on the first years of life.

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Latest NEXTGEN Magazine

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Upcoming Events

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Mission and Vision

The mission of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County is to provide and coordinate the services of school readiness programs, in an efficient manner, in order to help all children develop the skills needed to achieve future educational success, to support the role of parents as their child's first and most important teacher, and to continue to improve the quality of services available in the community.

The vision of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County is to provide and support high-quality school readiness opportunities for all children and their families, understanding that it is in the first years of life that a child's future educational success is determined.

 

Child Care Resource and Referral

Child Care Resource and Referral is available to assist all families seeking quality and affordable child care options and local community resources. If you are interested in this free resource, please contact our CCR&R team at 941-757-2900 ext. 2200 or familyservices@elc-manatee.org.

The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County supports potential and current providers. We are available to offer information about starting a new child care business and enhancing your program. We are also eager to assist providers with questions about the VPK and School Readiness programs. Please contact our provider services department at 941-757-2900 ext. 2300  providerrelations@elc-manatee.org.


If our office is closed and your family is in need of immediate assistance, 2-1-1 Suncoast is available 24 hours a day. They can be reached by dialing 211 or 941-308-4357 or by visiting their website at https://211.gs-humanservices.org/