School Readiness (SR) Providers

Florida’s School Readiness Program (SR) offers financial assistance to eligible low-income families for early education and care so they can become financially self-sufficient and their young children can be successful in school in the future. Even before children attend prekindergarten, they gain from experiences that help them enter school ready for kindergarten. Services vary based on individual needs and range from extended day care to after-school and school-age care in some instances. The SR Program is funded primarily by the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant. The Division of Early Learning (DEL) is the lead administrator for the School Readiness Program at the state level and partners with 30 local early learning coalitions and Redlands Christian Migrant Association to deliver SR services and supports statewide.

School Readiness Child Assessment

DEL allows for eligible SR providers to earn a 5% differential for conducting ongoing child assessments. Starting July 1, 2025, the sole approved child assessment instrument is Teaching Strategies Gold. Read more about child assessments on the School Readiness Services page and contact your local early learning coalition for more information.

Contact information for assessment services can be found at Available Tool for Assessment (PDF).

Required Health and Safety Training

Child care personnel working in an SR Program must complete Preservice training within 90 days of initial employment with any SR provider. Personnel are only allowed unsupervised contact with or care of children in an SR Program after they have completed all Preservice training requirements.

More information regarding training can be found on the Professional Learning page.