Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

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Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County Providing children birth to 5 years, high quality, equitable & inclusive early learning experiences.

The ELC of Hillsborough strives to:
*Help families find early care and education and out-of-school time services and understand their child care options through Child Care Resource & Referral;
* Support child care providers through training, technical assistance and financial supports; and
* Inform the community on the importance of early childhood education and out-of-school time experiences.

10/14/2026

Adventure is always on the schedule in VPK! ✨

Whether they’re building, creating, or exploring, our littlest learners keep every minute exciting. 🎉

Give your child a strong start with free VPK! Visit elchc.org/vpk to learn more and enroll today.

Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples Day and celebrate the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous communities,...
10/12/2026

Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples Day and celebrate the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous communities, past and present.

10/10/2026

Drop-off can be a lot. And not just for the kids. 💛

Whether it’s tears at the classroom door, an extra-long hug goodbye, or a parent who sits in the car for a minute (or ten) before pulling away, those big feelings are completely normal. Saying “see you later” is a big step for everyone!

Here’s the good news: those first wobbly moments don’t last long. Before you know it, your little one is:

🏃 Running in to show their friends something new
🎨 Building, painting, singing, and exploring all day long
🧩 Learning to share, take turns, and solve problems together
😊 Coming home with stories you can’t wait to hear

10/08/2026

¡Atención propietarios de programas de educación infantil! 📣✨

Vienen grandes cosas para LEAD:

🌟 Pronto comienza el reclutamiento para nuestra Master Class y Academia de Acreditación
🌟 Fortalezca su liderazgo
🌟 Haga crecer su negocio
🌟 Avance hacia la acreditación

Este es su momento. Únase a nuestra lista de espera y sea de los primeros en enterarse cuando abran las solicitudes. 🙌

¡No espere, agregue su nombre hoy mismo! Link en la bio. 💛

-

Attention childcare program owners! 📣✨

Big things are coming to LEAD:

🌟 Our Master Class & Accreditation Academy recruitment starts soon
🌟 Strengthen your leadership
🌟 Grow your business
🌟 Move toward accreditation

This is your moment. Join our waitlist and be the first to know when applications open. 🙌

Don’t wait, add your name today! Link in bio. 💛

10/07/2026

BIG dreams come in small sizes!

Our VPK friends shared what they want to be when they grow up, and we’re officially inspired. From saving lives to flying planes, these little learners are already dreaming big. 💭

Today they’re dreamers. Tomorrow, they’re changing the world. ✨
VPK helps give your child the foundation to learn, grow, and reach their dreams. Enroll today at elchc.org/vpk

When parents and educators share the same room, real change starts. 💛On Saturday, parents and child care professionals j...
10/06/2026

When parents and educators share the same room, real change starts. 💛

On Saturday, parents and child care professionals joined us at Ready to Rise at The Skills Center to talk about what young children and families truly need to arrive at kindergarten ready to learn.

To every parent who shared their voice and every early educator who showed up for our youngest learners: thank you. You are shaping the future of early learning in Hillsborough County.

This morning wouldn’t have been possible without so many incredible partners:

🌟 Our presenting sponsor, Florida Blue, with a huge kudos to Stephen Brocato. Thank you to the Florida Blue team for a powerful presentation on how a healthy child is a child ready to learn.
🌟 Our keynote speaker, Dr. Daphne Fudge, for an inspiring message
🌟 Commissioner Myers, for speaking on the importance of voting
🌟 GTE, for sharing valuable insight on financial wellness
🌟 Carlos Valdez and his team, for supporting the event
🌟 Rooted in Play, an absolute win for our kids. We’re so grateful for the partnership!
🌟 Mel’s Munchies, for the delicious treats
🌟 The staff and crew at The Skills Center, for welcoming us so warmly

What we heard on Saturday will help guide what comes next. Stay tuned as we continue building solutions with families, not just for them.

This October, we're shining a light on something close to our hearts: creating inclusive, accessible learning environmen...
10/05/2026

This October, we're shining a light on something close to our hearts: creating inclusive, accessible learning environments where every child can thrive.

Earlier this year, our Community of Access Team piloted the Fundamentals of Inclusive Practices series, a Train-the-Trainer program designed to help educators build classrooms that welcome and support every learner. Our goal is to bring this series to directors and program leaders across Hillsborough County, so they can share these practices with their own teams.

Thanks to our generous funders, a dedicated team that volunteers their time and resources, and the incredible interest from teachers across the county, we're excited to keep this work growing. Stay tuned for updates! ✨

The Early Childhood Council of Hillsborough County, Program-Wide Positive Behavior Support at USF

10/05/2026

Happy World Teachers’ Day! 🍎

To the early educators across Hillsborough County: thank you. Every song you sing, dance you dance, meal you cook, story you read, and every small moment of encouragement helps build the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

The work you do in the earliest years shapes who our children become, and we’re so grateful for your patience, creativity, and heart.

Tag a teacher who made a difference in your child’s life and show them some love today! 👇

10/02/2026

Ever wonder what the VPK Progress Monitoring Assessment is all about? 🌟

Here’s the breakdown:
- It happens three times during the VPK program
- Teachers use it to track each child’s growth and measure their learning and development throughout the program
- It gives teachers insight into a child’s strengths and where they may need extra support
- Parents can then review the results with teachers and talk through what additional support their child may need, both in the classroom and at home

And best of all, they get to celebrate the child’s progress together! 🎉

It’s one of the many ways we make sure every child is supported on their path to kindergarten readiness.

Learn more about how the VPK program at: elchc.org/vpk

10/01/2026

One week later, we’re still reflecting on the conversations, connections, and ideas sparked at the Education of Young Children Summit!

Presented by The Brink Foundation, this year’s summit brought together community leaders, educators, advocates, and partners around a shared goal: helping every child get on track for kindergarten readiness and building a stronger foundation for the future.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our incredible sponsors for helping make this important conversation possible:
Brink Foundation | Summit Grand Champion Sponsor
McGohan Brabender | Summit Elite Sponsor
Suncoast Credit Union | Summit High Octane Sponsor
Sunshine Health | Summit High Octane Sponsor
TECO | Summit Turbo Boost Sponsor
WebAuthor | Summit Turbo Boost Sponsor
Hillsborough College | Summit Turbo Boost Sponsor
Zip Data | Summit Turbo Boost Sponsor
Faux Real Flowers | Summit Turbo Boost Sponsor

The conversation may have started at the summit, but the work continues! 🤝✨📚

Address

6302 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard , Suite 100
Tampa, FL
33619

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18135152340

Website

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