A Description of School Readiness

To see if you are eligible for The Child Care Financial Assistance Program, please visit the Single Point of Entry (SPE) or by calling the Sanford office.

To help provide a better future for children, school readiness programs have been designed to prepare children ages birth to 5 for school, particularly those from income-eligible families. These programs, funded by the coalition, serve as a preventive measure for children at risk of future school failure. Priority participation is given to: children who have been determined to be at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation, and whose parents are economically disadvantaged. Studies show that children who attend early care and education programs are more likely to graduate from high school, less likely to go on public assistance, spend time in jail, repeat a grade, or be placed in special-education classes.

School readiness providers offer programs that include:

• Research-based early learning activities and instruction
• Developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Literacy programs
• Character development programs
• Healthy and safe environments
• Appropriate staff-to-child ratios
• Personnel with required qualifications
• Family-friendly environment that supports parent involvement opportunities
• Parent support services

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Offices

The coalition has contracted with Community Coordinated Care for Children (4C) who is responsible for determining eligibility and referrals for child care services to those families who need financial assistance. Their offices are listed below and are accessible to families in all areas of the county.

The Coalition has a listing of School Readiness Providers in Seminole County as of December, 2008.

Sanford Office

307 West First Street
Sanford, FL 32771
321.832.6400

Parents can contact 4C to determine if they are eligible to receive child care assistance by visiting the Single Point of Entry (SPE) or by calling the Sanford office.

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Parents' Role

School readiness of a child is a family affair. School readiness and success does not mean much unless parents are at the heart of their children's success. State-financed school readiness programs and the monitoring of these programs provide a safe and stimulating environment for children to learn, but learning also takes place at home where parents become the teachers.

Parents can help by promoting their children's health and physical well-being by providing them with:

• Nutritious food
• Enough sleep
• Safe places to play
• Regular medical care
• Opportunities to exercise and develop physical coordination

Parents can help their children develop socially and emotionally, by serving as role models for their children, showing respect to others, and building up their child's sense of personal effectiveness with encouragement. Parents can also teach children such important social skills as sharing and getting along with others.

From home, parents can help their children develop their language skills and help them understand the world by:

• Talking with them
• Asking and answering questions
• Discussing everyday activities while eating lunch or cleaning up toys
• Listening to their children

To see if you are eligible for The Child Care Financial Assistance Program, please visit the Single Point of Entry (SPE) or by calling the Sanford office.

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