Educate young children. Empower parents. Elevate teachers. The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County prepares infants, toddlers and preschool children for lifelong success through access to quality early learning programs. Serving more than 4,000 children and 150 childcare providers every year, the nonprofit administers and oversees the local integrated system of early care and education across Sarasota County. This includes using state and county funds to provide financial scholarships to income-eligible families and administering the free, state-funded Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) programs for all 4-year-olds.
Known in the community as the ELC, the agency is a free, one-stop resource for parents and caregivers for all things related to early education. The ELC strives to give the area’s littlest learners a high-quality, well-rounded, enriching childcare experience so they can thrive by the age of 5.
