Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County

06/18/2026

The ELC office will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. We will reopen Monday, June 22, at 7:00 a.m.

06/16/2026

☕ A good cup of coffee and a chance to learn make a pretty great blend…

We recently gathered at the Learning Lab Café inside the Manatee Performing Arts Center to thank our dedicated ReadingPals volunteers for the time and encouragement they shared throughout the school year. Each week, they help young children build literacy skills and confidence through the power of reading.

The café's mission made it a meaningful place to connect. Operated in partnership with Sunrise Community, it provides a place for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build workplace skills and gain valuable experience.

The morning brought together people who believe in the potential of others, and that felt worth celebrating!

The Learning Lab Café is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you haven't visited yet, please stop by and show your support.

Interested in becoming a ReadingPals volunteer? Visit https://www.elc-manatee.org/ReadingPals

06/15/2026

School’s out, but healthy meals are still in! 🥗🥕

Summer BreakSpot is providing free meals to kids and teens all summer long, Monday through Friday. Meals are available at schools, parks, libraries, and other locations throughout Manatee County.

View the flyer below for local site information, visit SummerBreakSpot.org to search by ZIP code, or call (850) 617-7170 for more information. School District of Manatee County Food and Nutrition Services

06/11/2026

The ELC office will be closed on Friday, June 12, for staff training. We will reopen Monday, June 15, at 7:00 a.m. Have a great weekend!

06/10/2026

📢 Attention Manatee County Providers!

Have you claimed your program listing on My Florida Schools yet? Now is the perfect time to make sure your information is accurate and up to date!

By claiming and updating your listing, families can easily access important details about your program, including your services, location, and contact information. As more families use this resource to explore early learning options, keeping your profile current helps connect them to the quality care and education they need while supporting informed decisions about their child’s early learning journey.

Visit https://www.fldoe.org/myfloridaschools/ to claim or update your listing today!

06/09/2026

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸!

We're proud to prepare these books for children across our community, and incredibly thankful to our Suncoast Credit Union for making this work possible.

06/08/2026

🎓 Kindergarten, here they come!

Congratulations to our VPK graduates throughout Manatee County! We are so proud of each child’s achievements and look forward to watching them learn, grow, and thrive as they enter kindergarten in the 2026–2027 school year.

06/05/2026

The June Parents’ Pages newsletter is available on the Florida Division of Early Learning website! Check out articles this month about Family Fun Activities for Father’s Day, Next Stop Kindergarten, and more by visiting: https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/parents/parent-pages.stml

06/04/2026

FREE Autism Screenings!
Easterseals of Southwest Florida is offering families a free Autism screening today for children up to 18 years old.

💙 Free Autism Screening Available in June 💙

At Easterseals Southwest Florida, we know that early identification can have a lasting impact on children and their families. That’s why we’re providing free autism screenings at multiple community locations this May for children up to 18 years old.

📅 June Screening Date:
June 4 • 2 PM – 5 PM – APC Pediatrics (1862 Rye Road E)

Identifying signs early can help connect families to valuable support, services, and resources sooner. Following each screening, families will receive case management, educational materials, and guidance to help navigate the next steps. This program is made possible through funding from the Florida Department of Health.

🪪 Please bring proof of residency (ID or utility bill).
👉 Register here: https://lxm.cc/77dtj8

06/03/2026

✨ What a fantastic evening! Our Stand for Children Gala gathered community champions for a beautiful evening focused on young children and families. The proceeds from the event will help fund Spot On, our classroom-based therapy and development program supporting local preschoolers with strategies for learning and growth.

Congratulations to The Cox Family, recipient of the Paul Sharff Children’s Champion Award. We would also like to congratulate this year’s Infant Teachers of the Year Runner-Up, Rosemary Baumen of Bright Beginnings, as well as the recipients of the Pam Parmenter Early Educator Award, Sierra Schappacher and Sarah Martin-Vasquez of A Readiness Learning Academy.

A special thank you to this year’s sponsors for your generosity and commitment to children and families throughout Manatee County!