MISSION
The mission of the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County is to prepare children for lifelong success through quality early learning.
VISION
Every child develops a strong foundation of learning in a community dedicated to ensuring all families have the necessary support to thrive and all children reach their full potential.
DESCRIPTION:
The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County helps make child care easier to find, afford, and trust. We support Sarasota County families as they navigate early childhood education, including finding quality child care, applying for Florida’s free Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program, and learning about financial assistance options that may help with the cost of care.
Our team connects families with trusted tools, guidance, and resources so they can make informed decisions with confidence. We also support early learning educators and child care providers through professional development, coaching, technical assistance, and quality improvement supports that help strengthen classrooms across Sarasota County.
Through our work with families, educators, providers, and community partners, ELC Sarasota helps ensure that infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children have access to safe, nurturing, high-quality early learning experiences that prepare them for kindergarten and lifelong success.
SERVICES/PROGRAMS
Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR): We help families search for quality child care and early learning programs across Sarasota County. Families can receive guidance, customized child care listings, tools for comparing programs, and support understanding what to look for when choosing care.
School Readiness (SR) Financial Assistance: The School Readiness Program helps eligible families afford quality child care and afterschool care while parents work, attend school, participate in job training, or move forward in their careers. Families can apply online through Florida’s Family Portal.
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK): Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten program is free for eligible 4-year-olds, regardless of income. VPK helps children build early literacy, language, math, social-emotional, and classroom readiness skills before kindergarten.
ASPIRE Teacher Training Institute: ASPIRE provides tuition-free professional development and career pathways for early childhood educators, including pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship opportunities that combine coursework, mentoring, and real classroom learning.
