School Readiness Program (SR)

The School Readiness (SR) Program, established in 1999 by state legislation, has two primary purposes. One is to ensure children are ready for kindergarten and the second is to help parents become economically self-sufficient by providing financial assistance for child care so parents can work or participate in educational or training activities.
 
The Office of Early Learning administers the program at the state level. Coalitions throughout Florida contract locally with all types of legally operating child care providers.

Services offered through contracted providers include:  

• Preparing children to become ready for school by focusing on the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of a child
• Providing appropriate child care for at-risk children
• Involving the parents as their child’s first teacher
• Offering family support and referrals to community resources.

At the same time, coalitions provide training, technical assistance and resources to contracted providers in order to support and improve the quality of early childhood environments