Providers

Programs & Services for Providers

Child Care Resource and Referral

The Early Learning Coalition maintains a database of all Manatee County childcare providers. Families who contact us for provider information are given child care referrals that are customized to the criteria they submit. Results are generated based on family need and provider match criteria submitted...

Read More »

School Readiness

  Any legally operating child care provider or approved informal provider in Florida may be eligible to offer the Florida School Readiness program. If you are interested in contracting with the Early Learning Coalition, please contact our Provider Relations Department at (941) 757-2900 ext. 2300...

Read More »

School Readiness and/or Voluntary Prekindergarten Statewide Provider Contracts

Attention School Readiness and/or VPK Providers!

All providers are required to complete and submit contracts and supporting documents through the online PROVIDER PORTAL for both School Readiness and VPK.  

For general questions or assistance using the provider portal, please contact our Provider Relations Department at (941) 757-2900 ext. 2300.

Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)

  Increased Emergent Literacy Training Requirements for VPK Teachers Learn More   If your program meets the following, you may be eligible to offer Voluntary Prekindergarten: Each private provider must be a licensed child care facility, a licensed family day care home...

Read More »

Child Health and Development

The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County works with child care providers to help with early detection of physical or learning challenges in a child's life. If any concerns are found, we aim to promote understanding between parents and providers of the condition and propose a course of action to...

Read More »

Inclusion Services

Inclusion Services The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County makes available services to providers to enhance staff’s knowledge and competence in serving children with disabilities or behavioral challenges. In addition, regularly scheduled provider trainings are offered pertaining to inclusion...

Read More »

Quality Initiatives and Education

Quality Initiatives & Education Nemours Nemours BrightStart! Program for Early Literacy Success (NBS!) is a program dedicated to the prevention of reading failure in young children. Started in 2005 through the generous funding of the Nemours Foundation (a large pediatric health system), NBS! is...

Read More »

Contract Compliance

  State of Florida Statewide School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten Provider Contracts The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County is responsible for monitoring both the Statewide School Readiness and the Voluntary Prekindergarten Provider Contract to ensure the programs are in compliance...

Read More »

Job Openings at Child Care Centers

  Please note: If you would like to have an open position featured on our website, please contact the Communications Department at (941) 757-2911 or email kharbour@elc-manatee.org with the position details. Upon approval, it may take 24 hours for your post to appear on the site. All entries...

Read More »

Professional Associations

  Manatee Chapter of FLAEYC The Manatee Chapter of FLAEYC is your local early childhood chapter of the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (FLAEYC), which is affiliated with both the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Southern Early Childhood...

Read More »

Professional Development

Programs & Services for Professional Development {widget:include:child_pages}

Read More »

Forms

Provider Forms  SCHOOL READINESS Health and Safety Inspections The State Board of Education has approved Rule 6M-4.620, Health and Safety Checklists, and Inspections. This rule requires at least one Health and Safety inspection annually for all child care providers that contract for...

Read More »

Links

Useful Links for Providers National Resources Child Care Aware SafeKids Worldwide Zero to Three National Institute of Child Health & Human Development National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) Senate House of Representatives Legislation Tracking Statewide...

Read More »