School Readiness and VPK supports the "parent as the child's first and best teacher" by providing training sessions on best practices in early childhood, child development, literacy, and parenting.  Child Care Choice Services are available to parents with materials and activities to enhance their child's stages of development.  The child care resource room is open Monday through Friday.  While enrolled in the program, children may receive child developmental screening and assessment.

Parents may contact the Child Care Choice office to find out how our trained staff can assist you by calling:

 (352) 315-3905 or 1-866-463-3905

Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Program

 A constitutional amendment was passed by Florida’s voters in November 2002 that requires a voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) program offered to all of Florida’s four-year old children by fall of 2005.  This voluntary program is designed to prepare four-year old children for kindergarten and to build the foundation for their educational success and is provided at no cost to the parent.  Lake County’s voluntary pre-k program has enrolled 1200 children through out the county with 20 private providers participating along with the Lake County School Board.  Children eligible for the 05-06 school year who were not able to enroll into a fall program will be eligible for the summer program.  To be eligible for the Voluntary Pre-K program a child must be 4 years old on or before September 1^st and must reside in the state of Florida.  If you have any questions regarding eligibility for you child or as a private provider you would like to participate, please call Child Care Choice Services at 352-315-3905.  School readiness wraparound services may be available to those who meet the qualifications for funding.

Emergency Disaster Plan

In the event of a disaster such as a hurricane that may cause our normal operations to be unavailable to serve the community, we have developed an Emergency Disaster Plan for Child Care Choice Services.  The plan is designed to give you as a parent and the child care provider access to our emergency management team.

Below is a list of contact numbers from our organization and individuals who will be able to assist you during the disaster period.  Please keep a copy of this information in your emergency contacts at home, work, or with you.  This information is available to you on our website at www.childcarechoiceservices.com.

Inclusion and Warm Line Information

For information and services available for inclusion of children in program environments and/or special needs issues may contact at the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County by phone.

Toni Johnson at LifeStream Behavioral Center at 325-205-1888

 The R&R Network’s toll – free Inclusion Warm Line 1-800-654-4440 will route calls electronically toThe Early Learning Coalition Inclusion designee.

Funding Provided by Lake County School Readiness Coalition and Florida Partnership for School Readiness

Additional Funding provided by: 

Lake County Citizen's Commission for Children

United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties

South Lake Community Foundation and

local municipalities

For more information:

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