Provider Network

What is the School Readiness Program?

The School Readiness program is a state and federally funded child care tuition assistance program that prepares children to become ready for school, assists families in becoming financially self-sufficient, and provides parents with information about child development and other topics of interest.

Each year the ELC Provider Network membership includes over 300 child care programs throughout the Big Bend Region. Network Providers include family child care homes, private child care centers, faith based programs, and public school programs. New providers are welcome to join the network at any time during the fiscal year, pending all requirements for participation are met.

What types of providers can participate in the School Readiness Program?

Informal Provider: Cares for children who are related to them and possibly children from one other family

Registered Family Child Care: Cares for no more than 10 children based on state ratio guidelines

Licensed Family Child Care: Cares for no more than 10 children based on state ratio guidelines

Licensed Large Family Child Care: Cares for no more than 12 children based on state ratio guidelines; has one employee/assistant

Licensed Child Care Center: Cares for children based on state ratio guidelines and capacity is calculated by square footage

Licensed Exempt Child Care Center: Cares for children based on state ratio guidelines; is either a school age only program or is an accredited religious exempt provider

Public School: Meets guidelines set forth by the Department of Education

Private School: Meets guidelines set forth by the Department of Education

How do providers become eligible to participate in the School Readiness Program?

If you are currently a child care provider and are licensed or registered through the Department of Children and Families, you are eligible to become a part of our School Readiness Provider Network.

If you are not currently a child care provider, contact the Department of Children and Families to determine what steps are necessary to become a child care provider.

If you are interested in providing care as an informal provider or as a license or religious exempt provider, please refer to the requirements on this page to determine what steps you need to take.

All potential providers should click here and read the Important Information about Opening a Childcare Facility guide.

Application and Orientation

Once you have initiated the process of becoming a child care provider, download a 2011-2012 School Readiness Provider Contract based on your provider type. After completing the contract and obtaining all required supporting documentation, contact the ELC's Contracts Department at (850) 385-0504 to schedule an appointment for contract review and orientation. This orientation is conducted one-on-one and covers all contract requirements as well as the reimbursement process.

Additional Required Documents

All potential providers must obtain a general liability insurance policy with the ELC named as both a Certificate Holder and an Additional Insured, and minimum coverage limits of $100,000 per occurrence and $200,000 general aggregate.

Requirements for Informal, Registered, License Exempt and Religious Exempt Providers

The ELC requires that providers not licensed through DCF submit documentation showing evidence of training and Level II background screening for all employees. This documentation must be submitted in order to complete the School Readiness Provider Network Agreement.

Training Requirements

Informal and Registered Providers- 30-clock-hour Family Child Care Home training, 5-clock-hour Early Literacy and Language Development training, and CPR & First Aid training.

Religious Exempt Providers (does not apply to school age only programs)- 5-clock-hour Early Literacy and Language Development training, and CPR & First Aid training.

License Exempt Providers- CPR & First Aid training.

Background Screening Requirements

Religious Exempt and License Exempt Providers- Complete Level II background screen for all employees. A Level II background screen includes FBI, FDLE and an Affidavit of Good Moral Character. For more information on completing background screens, click here.

Informal Providers- Complete Level II background screen. A Level II background screen includes FBI, FDLE and an Affidavit of Good Moral Character. A Level I background screen for all individuals living in the home must also be completed. A Level I background screen includes FDLE and Local Law Enforcement background checks, as well as an Affidavit of Good Moral Character. For more information on completing background screens, click here.

All Registered, Informal, License Exempt and Religious Exempt providers must pass an initial monitoring by the ELC once all contract requirements have been met. The tool used for this monitoring can be found here.  (pdf 83.25 kB)

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a School Readiness Provider (pdf 20.58 kB)

2011-2012 School Readiness Contracts

Please contact the Early Learning Coalition at (850) 385-0504 to schedule an appointment to submit your completed contract. Contracts must be submitted in person.

Download the appropriate 2011-2012 School Readiness Contract based on your provider type.

Licensed or License/Religious Exempt Child Care Center  (pdf 491.20 kB)

Gold Seal Licensed or License/Religious Exempt Child Care Center  (pdf 491.77 kB)

Licensed Family Child Care Home (pdf 491.21 kB)

Gold Seal Licensed Family Child Care Home (pdf 491.42 kB)

Registered Family Child Care Home (pdf 491.15 kB)

Informal Family Child Care Home (pdf 491.18 kB)

School Readiness Monitoring Tool

2011-2012 School Readiness Monitoring Tool (pdf 83.25 kB)

2011-2012 School Readiness Monitoring Score Sheet (pdf 23.75 kB)

2011-2012 School Readiness Monitoring Tool-Additional Information Packet (pdf 46.39 kB)