Parents with small children will want to select an early education site that meets the family's needs for short term or extended care to accommodate work schedules. Northwest Florida offers a variety of pre-school settings, including family child care homes, private schools, child care centers and faith-based providers of early education.
The Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties
www.elc-ow.org
2018 Lewis Turner Blvd., Suite C
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
850.833.3627
The Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties provides for the coordination, integration, efficiency, and quality of early childhood services in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.
The Coalition's goals are to:
- Prepare children for success in school.
- Involve parents as their child's first teacher and support family skill building.
- Provide oversight for a seamless system of services.
- Coordinate state funding for early childhood programs in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
The Early Learning Coalition of Santa Rosa County
www.elcsantarosa.com
6555 Caroline Street
Milton, Florida 32570
Phone: 850.983.5313
Fax: 850.983.5312
Melissa Bracken, Executive Director
bracken@elcsantarosa.org
Welcome to the website of the Early Learning Coalition of Santa Rosa County. The Coalition exists to carry out the duties and responsibilities pursuant to the provisions of the School Readiness Act and the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program. We recognize the primacy of parents as their children’s first teachers and the importance of children entering the education system ready to learn. Please browse our website for a wealth of resources to better prepare children for school.
Access to Early Education Programs, Including Pre-K, Head Start, and Early Head Start
Parents may access information on legally operating early education programs by calling Kidline at 850.833.9330. This single point of contact will be able to provide parents with options appropriate to the needs of the family.
Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services
www.owccs.org
107 Tupelo Ave
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
850.833.9330 Fax 850.833.9337
Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services is a nonprofit agency providing free resource and referral services to area families for over 35 years.
Services include:
- Eligibility screening for child care financial assistance
- Listings of area child care providers, hours of operation & rates
- Parenting information
- Education Center and toy lending library
- Provider training and technical assistance
Okaloosa County Head Start
www.okaloosaheadstart.org
850.244.2606
Head Start guidelines are determined by the size of the family unit and income ranges.
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) for Four-Year Olds in Florida
www.vpkflorida.com
VPK is FREE to qualifying children. There are no income or work requirements for parents. Children must be 4 on or before September 1st of the year that the child would first be eligible for kindergarten (five years of age). Parents or legal guardians must be residents of Florida.
Eglin Air Force Base
Hurlburt Field
