Quality Initiatives

All children deserve to be in early care and education programs of high quality that assist each child in developing to her or his full potential.

 

School Readiness Programs

Providing care for School Readiness funded children in Florida means following the requirements in Chapter 411 Florida Statutes. Provider programs are expected to “be developmentally appropriate, research-based, involve parents as their child’s first teacher, serve as preventive measures for children at risk of future school failure, enhance the educational readiness of eligible children, and support family education. Each School Readiness program shall provide the elements necessary to prepare at-risk children school, including health screening and referral and an appropriate educational program.” Chapter 411.01(2)(a)

The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County's personnel formally monitor your School Readiness provider’s classrooms and program in general with research-based evaluations. These assessments highlight the strengths of the program and isolate areas in need of improvement. The Coalition can then make recommendations for improvement based on the findings of the assessments.

Research also shows the more parents are involved with a program, the better the results of the program are for their children. Ask how you can become involved with the program, and if there will be any parent meetings to help learn about children this age. Be sure to ask where the lesson plans are and what the teacher has planned for the children this week. Ask to see the daily schedule and review the menu – snacks, meals and/or both.

 

Voluntary Prekindergarten Programs

The Quality Department provides training and technical assistance upon request to VPK programs. Topics can include many of the same subjects that School Readiness providers request. To meet specific VPK needs, the Quality Department has three staff qualified to deliver Department of Education standardized training on Emergent Literacy in VPK, 2008 VPK Standards (latest version), and Implementing the VPK Standards.