Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County

Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County

Child Care Connection

Contact Information

Child Care Connection Photo

Child Care Connection Contact List

2886-C Ringling Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34237
Phone: 941.556.1600
Fax: 941.556.1606

Sarasota Office Hours
Monday: 7:30 – 5:30
Tuesday: 7:30 - 7:00
Wednesday: 7:30 – 5:30
Thursday: 7:30 – 5:30
Friday: 7:30 – 11:30 am

CCC Satellite office – North Port Social Service Center
6919 Outreach Way
North Port, Fl 34287

Phone: 941-556-1600 extension 203 OR (941) 429-3715
Fax: 941-556-1606
Please call ahead as we are not always in the office and our hours vary.

Child Care Connection
Connecting families to resources for quality early childhood education

About Child Care Connection
Child Care Connection helps children get ready to succeed in school and in life. We do that by promoting high quality early education programs and providing education and assistance to families. The Early Learning Coalition and Child Care Connection advocate for children, families and child care providers by providing a strong voice on behalf of children. Child Care Connection is part of a statewide organization focused on the issues parents face when selecting quality child care.

VPK ( Voluntary Prekindergarten)
Administered by Early Learning Coalition

Florida’s FREE VPK program offers high quality learning opportunities for all four year old children

A child must be 4 years old on or before September 1, but not yet 5 years old or older, and /or not eligible for kindergarten
The parent must reside in Florida

Parents and Child Care Providers can contact the Child Care Connection at 941-556-1600, ext 125 for more information about the VPK program.

Child Care Resource and Referral Services
Resource and Referral offers parents:

Individualized referrals for quality child care based on a parent’s specific requirements such as location, type of program, hours, or accreditation.
Brochures and information covering many areas of child development and behavior
Assistance in locating services for children with special needs
An option to complete an online request form for child care resource and referral. Click here for more information.

Resource and Referral is available during office hours and in addition by phone on Fridays from 11:30 AM to 5:00PM at phone number 556-1600 extension 122.

Resource and Referral offers providers:

The benefit of marketing directly to families through the referral database of child care providers.
Marketing tips and assistance with opening and maintaining a child care program.

There are no charges/fees associated with a provider listing in the Resource & Referral Database or for referrals to your program. If you are asked to provide a payment for a referral or listing in the Resource & Referral database, please call the Agency for Workforce Innovation-Office of Early Learning Resource & Referral Network at 1-866-357-3239. The information reported about a provider’s program is objective program information that is based on standards that are attainable for providers based on their type of care.

Financial Assistance to Help Eligible Parents Pay for Child Care

Through the Coalition’s Child Care Connection program:

Parents who are working or attending an approved education or training program for at least 20 hours per week.
Parents whose annual income and family size meets eligibility criteria.

Parents interested in applying can call 941-556-1600 ext. 107.

Child Care Providers interested in offering services for families that receive financial help can call 941-556-1600 ext. 106.

Helpful Links

Licensing Web site
Child Care Aware
Florida Children's Forum
NACCRRA
Office of Early Learning
Florida Kidcare
Abuse Registry