Child Care Providers

In addition to helping the parents find quality child care, Child Care Choice Services works to enhance both the quality and supply of care through recruitment and training programs. Those who seek to provide family child care in their homes as well as those planning to open a child care center, can receive start-up technical assistance and follow-up training and support. Child Care Choice Services promotes best practices, developmentally appropriate materials, inclusion, and early childhood education to all participating providers, along with reimbursement and payment for school readiness slots.

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.

LifeStream Behavioral Center	Main Office	(352) 315-7500
Sherry Olszanski	Vice – President	(352) 315-7527
Carol Hoban	Program Director	(352) 516-3023

For information and services available for inclusion of children in program environments and/or special needs issues may contact our office at 352-315-3905, or by email at choban@childcarechoiceservices.com.

Resource & Lending Library

Providers have access to the Resource & Lending Library located at the Child Care Choice Services at our regular business hours or by contacting the Early Education Specialist assigned to your program. Please contact Carol Hoban, Program Director for any special requests of items to become part of the library you find useful in your program.

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 more than 2,000 children through out the county with private providers participating along with the Lake County School Board. Children eligible for the 07-08 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 , 2007 and must reside in the state of Florida. Children eligible for the upcoming 08-09 fall program must be 4 years old on or before September 1^st, 2008 and must reside in the state of Florida. If you have any questions regarding eligibility for your child or if you are a private provider and would like to participate, please call Lenea Carnes with Child Care Choice Services at 352-315-3905 ext 102. School readiness wraparound services may be available to those who meet the qualifications for funding.

Provider Meetings

Please refer to the calendar link for upcoming provider meetings, training opportunities and conferences in cooperation and collaboration with the ELCLC.

Provider Meetings, training opportunities, conferences, and other programs beneficial to early childhood professionals and parents are available throughout the year. Scheduled events can be accessed by visiting our website at www.childcarechoiceservices.com , clicking on the “Calendar” tab or by calling our office at (352) 315- 3905.

First Aid & CPR Classes

Classes in First Aid & CPR are being offered in part through the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County. The training classes are offered on the first Saturday of each month from September to June. Pre-registration is required; Please call the ELCLC at 352-435-0566 for more information.