Parents Resources
How can I get more information on
early learning options?
The Office of Early Learning (OEL) works to support families and ensure children have quality care and early learning opportunities. OEL provides state-level support and direction for early learning professionals and practitioners.
We have a network of early learning coalitions and community child care resource and referral service providers in every county in Florida. Early learning coalitions work within communities providing early learning support services to families. As part of this work, they maintain a comprehensive database on the availability, quality, and affordability of child care in Florida. This information can be useful to families as they make decisions about early learning.
Is early learning right for my family?
Making decisions about the care and education of your child is a very personal matter. There are many options:
- In home care or nanny/au pair care;
- Neighbor, family, or friend care;
- Family child care; and
- Center-based care.
Within these options, families can make choices that are most appropriate for their individual needs. Some families may prefer family child care, where care is provided to a small mixed-age group of children in a person's home. Other families may prefer center-based care, where children are in small groups with children their approximate age. Families can also make choices between part-day and full-day programs; or faith-based and non-parochial programs; as well as many other program features provided to fit the individual needs of each family.
Additionally, there are support services and programs available to children and families including School Readiness--a financial assistance program for eligible families; and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)--a publicly-funded education program for four-year-old children.
What are the benefits of early learning?
Young children need meaningful learning opportunities to develop skills, sense of self, and a foundation for learning throughout life. Good programs offer activities and services to promote each child's physical, social, and emotional development, as well as children's cognitive development.
Children who attend high quality early learning programs have competencies in
- Self-control,
- Social skills, and
- Have a higher motivation for learning.
They also gain other essential skills such as
- Language,
- Math,
- Literacy, and
- Problem solving.
Having participated in quality early learning programs, children develop a love for learning and have meaningful experiences to apply as they learn more complex concepts. Families benefit too as they access needed services and receive the support they need to ensure the well-being of their children.
Parents Resource Links
- Locate a Resource and Referral Program
- Performance Standards
- Parent Survey
- Child Care Resource and Referral
- A Family Guide for Early Education and Child Care Options
- A Quality Checklist for Evaluating Early Care and Education Programs
- VPK Handbook
- VPK Parent Surveys and Reports
- Coalition-Child Care Resource and Referral Directory
- CCR&R Standard Codes
- Families with Disabilities and Special Child Care Needs
- Selecting Quality Care
- State of Florida Child Care and Licensing Website
- Understanding Your Growing Child
- Warm Line/Inclusion
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