
Need affordable, quality child care? We can help.
Choosing a childcare provider or an early education program for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. We want to help your family make an informed decision with the best resources available.
The School Readiness (SR) program provides partial scholarships to working families in need of access to affordable, high-quality child care for young children, age birth to 12 years old. School Readiness funds pay a portion of child care costs based on the family’s income and risk factors.
Have a child age 0-5 and do not qualify for our School Readiness Program?
SR+ may help you!
Finding quality care for families with children 0-5 that fits your household’s unique environment may be challenging. Thanks to our partnership with the Juvenile Welfare Board, SR+ is able to offer local families with children 0-5 who don’t qualify for School Readiness expanded resources to high-quality early learning options. School Readiness and SR+ funding eligibility is listed below and based on availability and qualifications.
Benefits of School Readiness Program
Age-appropriate curriculum
Trained early childhood educators
Staff that work closely with parents to assess
child’s developmental achievements
Participating providers comply with
higher program standards
School Readiness and SR+
Eligibility Requirements
HOUSEHOLD SIZE
2
200%
$39,440
$49,720
$60,000
$70,280
$80,560
$90,840
300%
$59,160
$74,580
$90,000
$ 105,420
$120,840
$136,260
Informational Contact Form
Have questions on how to Enroll? Look at videos, below.
How to Renew Your Eligibility
All eligibility documents must be uploaded to your DEL Family Portal account.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do not have an account or can’t remember your username, please contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411. DO NOT create an account on your own as that will not link to your
current eligibility. Click here to be redirected to the Family Portal.
Any change that occurs to a family’s income, employment, education status, or household size must be reported to the Coalition within 10 days of the change. This includes whether you become permanently or temporarily disabled. You should also report if your child(ren) stop going to their reported child care location. If you have any questions, please contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411.
Forms & Resources
(Select title for more information)
FAQ’s
HOW DO I REPORT A CHANGE?
Please submit this Notice of Change to ELC staff.
WHAT DO I DO WHEN I GO ON MATERNITY LEAVE?
HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
HOW DO I FIND OUT MY SPOT ON THE WAIT LIST?
HOW TO GET VERIFICATION LETTER STATING I'VE BEEN PLACED ON THE WAIT LIST?
Once you are approved for the wait list you will receive an automated electronic notification in your inbox from OEL to the email you provided on the Family Portal Wait List application. If you have any other questions please contact Family Services Department by dialing 727-400-4411, then selecting option 3, then option 2. They will be able to assist in getting you verification to document that you are currently on the School Readiness Wait List.
HOW DO I CREATE A FAMILY PORTAL?
If you have NEVER had a Family Portal Account, you may create one as a New User at http://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/Account/Login. DO NOT create another Family Portal Account if you have ever created one in the past. This will duplicate your family’s information. Please contact contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411.
I AM AN ACTIVE ELC CLIENT WITH A CHILD IN SR SERVICES BUT I DON'T HAVE A FAMILY PORTAL ACCOUNT.
Please contact the contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.
I AM AN ACTIVE ELC CLIENT WITH A CHILD CURRENTLY IN SR SERVICES. I ALREADY HAVE A FAMILY PORTAL ACCOUNT, BUT I CAN’T REMEMBER MY USER NAME.
Please contact the contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.
HOW WILL THE ELC CONTACT ME?
The primary method of contact will be by email. We may also need to reach you by phone. Therefore, please make sure that ELC always has your current email address and phone number.
IF I ALREADY HAVE AN EXISTING VPK ACCOUNT, CAN I USE THAT SAME ACCOUNT FOR SCHOOL READINESS SERVICES?
Yes. Please log on to the Family Portal account you have already created. If you are experiencing difficulties, please contact the contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.
I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A SCANNER OR NEED ASSISTANCE UPLOADING DOCUMENTS.
All three ELC locations offer kiosk access. Please visit our Contacts and Locations page for more information.
HOW DO I RE-CERTIFY?
- Log on to your Family Portal account.
- Under the School Readiness Applications section, click on “Verify Eligibility” blue button.
- You will be directed to the Eligibility Wizard. Click start to begin the process.
- When you reach the end of the application, please sign electronically exactly as your name appears on the record and click “Submit Eligibility Verification”.
- Once the ELC completes your re-certification, you will receive an email directing you back to the Family Portal. Log into the Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section you will click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s). Please Note: If you don’t receive the email, you can still log into the Family Portal and complete the process.
- You will be asked to read and accept to the Parental Rights and Responsibilities/Terms and Conditions. Please sign electronically the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
I AM UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION WIZARD. HOW DO I UPLOAD MY DOCUMENTS?
- If you see a blue box stating, “Additional information is needed,” then you will need to upload documents in order to complete the section. Click on “No, I need to update the information”.
- The “Edit” button will appear for you to select.
- The next screen will give you the prompt to “Upload Document".
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY RE-CERTIFICATION IS COMPLETE? MY CHILD IS NOT SHOWING UP ON MY PROVIDER’S ATTENDANCE ROSTER.
- Log in to Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section, you will see “Pending Family Acceptance” under the Enrollment Status. Click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s).
- You will be asked to read and accept the Parental Rights and Responsibilities/Terms and Conditions. Please sign electronically the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
- Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
- Please Note: If you do not sign off on the Payment Certificate, your provider’s payments may be effected. It is imperative that you complete the process ASAP.
HOW DO I DO A TRANSFER FROM ONE PROVIDER TO ANOTHER?
- Download and print the Child Transfer Form.
- Complete the Transfer form with your current and new providers.
- Fax completed form to 727-400-4486 or drop off at one of the ELC locations.
- Once ELC has completed the transfer, you will need to sign the Payment Certificate in order for your child to show up on the new provider’s attendance roster. Log into the Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section you will click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s)
- Please electronically sign the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
- Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
- If you do not see the Payment Certificate in your Family Portal account within two business days, please call 727-400-4411.
- Please Note: If you do not sign off on the Payment Certificate, your provider’s payments may be effected. It is imperative that you complete the process ASAP.
I HAVE SUBMITTED MY TRANSFER FORM IN, BUT HOW DO I KNOW WHEN IT’S COMPLETE? MY CHILD IS NOT SHOWING UP ON THE NEW PROVIDER’S ATTENDANCE ROSTERS.
- Once ELC has completed the transfer, you will need to sign the Payment Certificate in order for your child to show up on the new provider’s attendance roster. Log into the Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section you will click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s).
- Please electronically sign the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
- Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
- If you do not see the Payment Certificate in your Family Portal account within two business days, please call 727-400-4411.
- Please Note: If you do not sign off on the Payment Certificate, your provider’s payments may be effected. It is imperative that you complete the process ASAP.
HOW DO I TEMPORARILY SUSPEND MY CHILD’S CARE?
- If eligible for a Suspended Enrollment, download and print the Suspended Enrollment Request Form.
- Complete the Suspended Enrollment Request Form with your current provider.
- Fax completed form to 727-400-4486 or drop off at one of the ELC locations.
WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER?
If you need access to a computer, please reach out to your provider (or prospected provider) for assistance and computer access. Many providers have been given computers or tablets to help families finalize applications.
If your provider cannot aid you, please call the ELC for guidance on next steps. Call 727-400-4411.
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