ELC of Manatee County Honors 45 VPK Providers With "Excellent" Rating
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) today proudly recognizes 45 Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) providers that have earned an “Excellent” designation from the Florida Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning for the 2024-2025 program year. Across Florida, more than 2,000 VPK providers (33%) received this distinction.
“This is a true testament to the high-quality early learning experiences offered in our community and to our shared goal of kindergarten readiness for every child,” said Darrell King, ELC Chief Executive Officer. “At the ELC of Manatee County, we are so proud of the quality of early learning in our community, and congratulations to the centers and schools that achieved this Excellence designation. Thank you to all our educators and providers for your dedication to our youngest learners, who deserve a strong start in life.”
Chancellor of Early Learning Cari Miller added, “This is a remarkable start, and we are confident the number of “Excellent” providers will continue to grow. Their success reflects our shared commitment to delivering high-quality VPK programs that prepare Florida’s youngest learners to enter kindergarten ready to thrive.”
VPK Program Accountability
Section 1002.68, Florida Statutes, requires VPK Education Program accountability, which is a set of policies and practices used to hold providers responsible for child achievement and learning and to support improvement where necessary.
VPK Provider Performance Metrics and Designations
Beginning with the 2024-25 VPK program year, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) annually calculates performance metrics and designations for each VPK provider within 45 days of the program end. A performance metric and performance designation consist of three components: quality, achievement, and learning gains. Data on quality of instruction is obtained from VPK program assessments and data on children’s achievement and learning gains is obtained from VPK FAST assessments.
Florida was among the first states to offer free prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds, regardless of income. Since 2005, more than 3.1 million children have benefited from VPK, with state data showing that participating children enter kindergarten significantly more prepared for school and long-term success.
Honored “Excellent” VPK Providers:
A READINESS LEARNING ACADEMY INC I
A READINESS LEARNING ACADEMY INC II
BALLARD ELEMENTARY
BAYSHORE ELEMENTARY
BLACKBURN ELEMENTARY
BRADEN RIVER ELEMENTARY
BRIGHT FUTURES DAYCARE & PRESCHOOL LLC
CREATIVE CHILD LEARNING CENTER AT LAKEWOOD RANCH
DISCOVERY POINT TWELVE OAKS
EDUCATION TIME
FAMILY LIFE COMMUNITY SCHOOL INC
FIRST FOR KIDS CHILDREN’S CHRISTIAN CTR
HAPPY CUBS
IMAGINE CHARTER SCHOOL AT NORTH MANATEE
IMAGINE SCHOOLS AT LAKEWOOD RANCH
IN THE BEGINNING LEARNING CENTER INC.
KIDS ON THE ROCK
KINNAN ELEMENTARY
LA PETITE ACADEMY 7398
LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH SCHOOL
LEARNING UNLIMITED
LITTLE EINSTEINS ACADEMY
MANATEE CHARTER SCHOOL
MANATEE ELEMENTARY
MCNEAL ELEMENTARY
MILLER ELEMENTARY
MYAKKA ELEMENTARY
NORTH RIVER EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY
PALMA SOLA ELEMENTARY
PALMETTO ELEMENTARY
PRINE ELEMENTARY
RISEN SAVIOR ACADEMY
SEA BREEZE ELEMENTARY
STEP UP SUNCOAST RISE AND SHINE EARLY LEARNING-MORTON CLARK
STEP UP SUNCOAST RISE AND SHINE EARLY LEARNING-PARKLAND
STEP UP SUNCOAST RISE AND SHINE EARLY LEARNING–WEST BRADENTON
STEWART ELEMENTARY
TARA ELEMENTARY
TEACHABLE MOMENTS LEARNING CENTER, LLC
TILLMAN ELEMENTARY
TRINITY CHILDREN’S CENTER/MOMS MORN OUT
VIRGIL MILLS ELEMENTARY
WEE WORLD CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY
WILLIS ELEMENTARY
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About ELC of Manatee County
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Inc. is a multi-service agency dedicated to helping children develop skills that they will need to be successful in school and life. The agency’s focus is on high-quality school readiness opportunities for all children and their families, understanding that it is in the first years of life that a child’s future educational success is determined and the critical role of parents, as their child’s first and most important teacher. To learn more about Coalition’s services, go to www.elc-manatee.org or call 941-757-2900, extension 2100.