Building Blocks
for Educational Success
February 2019
Pro
vid
ers
The monthly newsletter of the Early Learning Coalition Visit our website: www.elcirmo.org
The monthly newsletter includes information for child care providers, parents and the community.
Indian River County
“STREAM Training” for teachers
of children 2-5 yrs. old
3/5/19—ELC IR Office
2459 St. Lucie Ave., Vero Beach
6—8 p.m.
Register at ELCIRMO website
Martin County
No trainings scheduled in February.
Okeechobee County
“STREAM Training”-
RESCHEDULED
TO 2/19/19—Peace Lutheran
Preschool (previously 1/29/19)
750 NW 23rd Lane, Okeechobee
6—8 pm
Register at ELCIRMO website
Check the ELCIRMO website calen-
dar for any trainings that may be
scheduled after the publication of
the newsletter.
There are NO Provider
Meetings in February.
FOR THE 2017-18 READINESS RATE, NO NEW PROVIDERS WILL BE
PLACED ON PROBATION. However, a readiness rate of less than 60 is con-
sidered low performing and providers scoring below 60 should strongly
consider rigorous, yet developmentally appropriate improvements to their
VPK instructional practices. OEL and early learning coalitions can assist
through opportunities for training, technical assistance and guidance.
Release of the Preliminary Readiness Rates includes verifying the children
served and dispute processes, which allow providers 21 days to review
their 2017-18 data and submit changes through the website. Early learn-
ing coalitions are required to review and accept or deny any changes to en-
rollment data. Changes to name, gender or date of birth are automatic and
do not need to be approved.
These processes are described in rule 6M-8.601 F.A.C. Voluntary Prekinder-
garten (VPK) Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate available at
Below is the planned timeline for the 2017-18 VPK Provider Kindergarten
Readiness Rate. Please note that these dates are approximate and subject to
change.
Release of the 2017-18 Preliminary Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates – Week of Jan. 21 to Jan. 25, 2019
Provider Verification and Dispute Period – 21-day window following the release of the 2017-18 Preliminary Readiness Rates
Coalition Review Period – 10-day window following the close of the Pro-vider Verification and Dispute Period
OEL Resolution of provider disputes and finalization of data Jan. 21 to Feb. 28, 2019
Release of the 2017-18 Final VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates March 2019
Continued on page 2
See 2017-18 Readiness Rates
Building Blocks
for Educational Success
February 2019
Pro
vid
ers
Page 2
Okeechobee School District
Kindergarten Registration information is not yet available.
Provider Portal User Guide
Do you need assistance using the Provider Portal?
You can access the OEL Pro-
vider Portal User Guide on the
Provider Resources page of
the ELC’s website and also on
the Provider page.
Now Enrolling in All Counties
We are enrolling from the wait list in all counties for the
School Readiness program.
To be eligible, all families must first register through the Fami-
ly Portal.
If you need assistance, there are kiosks and staff available in
all offices to assist families in the registration process.
Please share the following information with your parents
who will have children attending kindergarten.
Martin County School District
Kindergarten Registration for the 2019-2020 School Year to Begin March 18, 2019
Click on the logo for more information.
Indian River School District
Kindergarten Registration will be available during the Pre-K
Party and Kindergarten Round-up at the Indian River Mall,
Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Additional information is available on their website.
Click on the logo for more information.
Continued—2017-18 Readiness Rates
VPK Readiness Rate access:
Step #1. Go to https://vpk.fldoe.org/home, click
on “SECURE AREA LOGIN” and enter your Bright
Beginnings provider ID and your VPK Readiness
Rate website password.
Step #2. To register, enter the nine-digit registra-
tion ID (SSN or FEIN that was used in the provid-
er’s VPK application), four- or five-digit provider ID
(ID used to access the Bright Beginnings website)
and the physical address zip code for the cen-
ter. After the registration is complete the provider
will create a password to access the secure area of
the website and view their preliminary rate, verify
the children served and dispute processes.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for
what you do for Florida’s earliest learners.
School Readiness Providers & CLASS Program Assessment
House Bill 1091 requires a Program Assessment to be conducted on all providers wishing to
contract for the 2019-2020 School Readiness program. This applies to both existing providers who will be renewing
their contract, as well as new providers interested in applying for the first time.
To receive a Program Assessment, providers must register all their instructors and classrooms into Florida’s Office of
Early Learning Program Assessment system. You will not be eligible to participate in the School Readiness Program for
2019-2020 if you do not complete the registration process.
To register, please visit https://earlylearningpfp.fldoe.org/Home/Welcome.
You will need your OEL Provider ID number and your Department of Children and Families’ License or License Exempt
number to register.
Pare
nts
Building Blocks
for Educational Success
February 2019
Page 3
Early Learning Parents’ Pages
— February 2019 edition
includes the following:
Pleasing picky eaters
Children’s books that support developing
spatial skills
Start talking “STEM” early
National children’s dental health month
SPANISH
VPK Registration started on January 1st.
Be ahead of the game by applying online at the
Family Portal @
https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/
Indian River County families may also attend the
Centennial Pre-K Party and Roundup to register.
Attention Indian River County parents
Come join us for the fun at the
Pre-K Party & Kindergarten
Round-up.
This is not only for those enter-
ing kindergarten.
If you have a child that you
wish to register for VPK,
please stop by to visit the ELC.
Staff will be on hand to help
you apply for VPK, give assis-
tance if needed, and print your
certificate.
If you are unable to attend, you
may always apply for VPK
online through the Family Por-
tal at
https:familyservices.floridaearlyl
earning.com/
Need assistance with your taxes?
FREE filing service available
Contact your local United Way office. United Way VITA is a
FREE tax filing service available to individuals and families
earning up to $55,000 annually. VITA is a national program
staffed by local volunteers who provide free, confidential
and secure preparation and e-filing of tax returns to quali-
fied taxpayers.
United Way Martin County
United Way Indian River County
Co
mm
un
ity
Proudly Supported by:
Okeechobee County
Children’s Services Council of
Okeechobee
Building Blocks
for Educational Success
February 2019
Page 4
Board of Commissioners Martin County
Children’s Services Advisory Council Indian River
Welcome New Board Member
Bill West, CEO of Molly’s House, joined the
coalition board as a private-sector member
representing Martin County.
Sponsorship Forms for the Touch-a-Truck event are availa-
ble on the ELC website at www.elcirmo.org. Click here
Thanks for coming out to see us at the Twelth Annual
Okeechobee Family Health and Safety Expo. Children,
parents, grandparents and friends all had a great time.
Thank you to Okeechobee for putting on such a great
event for the community.
Dunbar Early Learning Center’s board member,
Mr. Demetrius Preston, takes part in the nation-
wide simultaneous reading during Celebrate
Literacy Week.
Celebrate Literacy Week