About Us

We believe our children are the future.  As champions of early childhood education, we
oversee and fund early learning programs for all children, including at risk and income eligible children.  We understand that our charge is critically important because 80 percent of a child’s brain is developed by age three!

That’s why we develop, implement and monitor the School Readiness Subsidized Childcare
and Voluntary Prekindergarten Programs, as governed by Florida’s Office of Early Learning.  Our
programs ensure that St. Lucie County’s youngest citizens will receive quality, comprehensive early learning services appropriate for their needs, and make sure they enter kindergarten ready to learn.

We know that young children have an innate desire to learn, a desire that can be
supported or undermined by early experiences.  We provide the foundation that guides children
academically, physically, socially and emotionally. Without the services offered by the Coalition, many of the children participating in our childcare programs and services would not have this early learning opportunity; nor, would their parents have the chance to work towards becoming financially self-sufficient.

We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers and how important it is for
children to enter school ready to learn and excited about their education, so we ensure that parents and other caregivers receive the support and information they need for those early interactions at home. We provide families the opportunity to enhance their children’s success by participating in quality early learning programs that better prepare children for school. At the Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County, we strive to make certain that ALL children and families have access to quality, affordable early learning programs and services.

Our History

The Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County was created, along with other Early Learning
Coalitions across the state, by Florida State Statute 1002.83.

In addition to providing financial assistance for childcare and school readiness, we are required by statute to build a coalition of partners and advocates coordinating local services for children from birth through kindergarten. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Providing Child Care Resource & Referral services
• Providing Inclusion Warm-Line services
• Determining childcare financial assistance eligibility procedures
• Implementing child performance standards
• Providing child developmental health and/or academic development screening and assessment
• Determining use of developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Ensuring health and safety requirements
• Coordinating with statewide data system requirements
• Participating in state initiatives to build and implement an optional quality rating and improvement system

Our Mission…

We are committed to providing a collaborative delivery system of quality child development programs and services to ensure our children become competent and productive individuals.

Our Vision…

All of St. Lucie County’s children achieve educational success and become productive members of society.

Our Values

Children – Our children are at the heart of all we do. We believe that all children, regardless of
circumstance, are capable of educational excellence and personal growth, and we are committed to ensuring school readiness and lifelong success for each child.

Advocacy – We are champions for children; dedicated to promoting positive social and community change. Our team and community partners are committed to advancing early care and education throughout St. Lucie County and share a passion and dedication to children.

Community – We believe our community plays an essential role in our children’s path to success. By working together, we can promote education and support children as they become thriving, productive members of society.

Partnership – We value partnerships and are collaborative in all we do. We work closely with fellow service providers, families, corporations, elected officials, individuals, and the community at large to promote the importance of early learning and to secure educational opportunities for all children.

Excellence – When it comes to early learning, we know that quality matters. We are committed to providing full support to our childcare providers, so that they can maintain the high-quality
programming that will further the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of all children in our community.