The Early Learning Coalition Of Southwest Florida Inc

THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF CHILDREN'S LIVES BY PROVIDING FAMILIES, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS, CARE- GIVERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN COLLIER, GLADES, HENDRY AND LEE COUNTIES, WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE FUTURE. THE EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS HAVE HIGH QUALITY STANDARDS, COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES, SEAMLESS DELIVERY SYSTEMS WITH DIVERSE SETTINGS, AND WELL-EDUCATED, COMPETENT STAFF. THE DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAMS ARE COMPRISED OF CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND OF SCHOOL-BASED SITES OPERATED BY PUBLIC AND NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SCHOOL READINESS (SR) PROGRAMS - EMPOWERS PARENTS AS A CHILD'S FIRST TEACHER AND HELPS THEM PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN TO BE READY FOR SCHOOL THROUGH ENROLLMENT WITH SR PROVIDERS. THE PROVIDERS OFFER DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM; SUITABLE STAFF TO CHILDREN RATIOS TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF EACH CHILD; AND THE ABILITY FOR PARENTS TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE ABOUT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM THAT BEST FITS THEIR FAMILY'S NEED. THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SUPPORTS THE STATE PROGRAM IN COLLIER, GLADES, HENDRY AND LEE COUNTIES BY CONTRACTING FOR SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE SERVICES WITH 206 SCHOOL READINESS PROVIDERS; PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SR PROVIDERS; 10,103 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM.

VOLUNTARY PRE-KINDERGARTEN (VPK)- A LEGISLATIVELY MANDATED, STATEWIDE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PREPARE EVERY FOUR-YEAR-OLD AND YOUNGER FIVE-YEAR-OLDS IN FLORIDA FOR KINDERGARTEN AND BUILD THE FOUNDATION FOR THEIR EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS. THE VPK PROGRAM GIVES EACH CHILD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PREPARATION TO PERFORM BETTER IN SCHOOL AND THROUGHOUT LIFE THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN VPK. PROVIDERS CONTRACT TO ASSURE HIGH LITERACY STANDARDS, ACCOUNTABILITY, APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM, SUBSTANTIAL INSTRUCTION PERIODS, MANAGEABLE CLASS SIZES, AND QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS. THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SUPPORTS THE VPK PROGRAM IN COLLIER, GLADES, HENDRY AND LEE COUNTIES BY CONTRACTING FOR VOLUNTARY PRE-KINDERGARTEN SERVICES AND SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH QUALITY VPK PROVIDERS. THE PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE FOR FOUR AND FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN IN 248 SITES SERVING 6,932 CHILDREN IN OUR 4-COUNTY REGION.

OUTREACH & AWARENESS: THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SUPPORTS THE VPK PROGRAM IN COLLIER, GLADES, HENDRY AND LEE COUNTIES BY: MONITORING CONTRACTED VPK CHILD CARE PROVIDERS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATEWIDE VPK CONTRACT AND VPK PROVIDERS UNDER THE REDLAND CHRISTIAN MIGRANT ASSOCIATION INCLUDING, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVE TO, ASSESSMENT CREDENTIALLING, CLASS RATIO AS WELL AS GENERAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AND ADVERTISING TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE VOLUNTARY PRE-KINDERGARTEN SERVING TO PROMOTE ENROLLMENT OF CHILDREN IN THE VPK PROGRAM.