Summary of Services
- Child Care Resource and Referral: A free service that helps families find affordable, high-quality child care
- School Readiness Program: Offers subsidized child care to eligible working families or those in school
- School Readiness Plus Program: Offers continued child care support for families whose income exceeds the eligibility threshold for the standard subsidy
- Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK): A free educational program for four-year-olds residing in Florida
- Developmental Screenings: Early identification of potential developmental delays or special needs, ensuring timely interventions and support
- Family Learning Resources: Access to free educational kits, books, online tools, and community-based learning events
Serving Families, Caregivers, and Educators Across Counties
The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida is committed to preparing children for lifelong success by offering services that support early childhood development and education. Through the Division of Early Learning and in partnership with service provider Episcopal Children’s Services (ECS), the coalition serves families, caregivers, and educators across Baker, Bradford, Clay, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties.
Ongoing Assistance Through Shared Cost Contributions
Families can access programs that make early education more affordable and accessible. One such resource is the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) service, which connects parents with trained specialists who help them find quality, affordable child care.
This service is available free of charge, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The School Readiness Program offers subsidized child care to eligible families, supporting parents as they work or pursue higher education while ensuring their children are well-prepared for school. To qualify, families must reside in one of the counties served by the coalition, have a household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, and either be employed or enrolled in college or vocational training.
A copayment is required for certain families, including those with children who are considered at-risk, such as children of migrant or farm workers, or children who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect. To help families who no longer meet the income eligibility requirements for subsidized care, the School Readiness Plus Program provides continued support through a gradual cost-sharing model.
As household income increases, families can contribute a larger share of child care costs without immediately losing their child care assistance. This approach supports working families as they work toward financial stability and ensures that their children continue to receive high-quality early education.
Nurturing Young Minds Through Early Reading and Educational Development
The coalition also offers the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program, a free educational program designed to prepare four-year-olds for kindergarten. To be eligible, children must be Florida residents and four years old by September 1st of the school year.
Beyond child care and education programs, the coalition provides developmental screenings to help identify special needs early and ensure timely support. Families also have access to free educational materials, including learning kits, books, and digital tools that promote literacy and school readiness.
The coalition hosts interactive events and learning activities that encourage children’s engagement with reading, math, and problem-solving. To support parents and caregivers, the coalition provides a library of educational articles and videos that focus on key areas of early childhood development.
These resources cover topics such as cognitive and emotional growth, and how early life experiences shape long-term success. Through its wide range of programs and services, the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida empowers families to create strong, supportive environments that enable children to reach their full potential.