Early Learning Centers
ECS operates an early learning center offering full day, high quality early education for children ages six weeks to five years, including Florida's Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program.
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R)
This program provides valuable information to parents about a wide range of providers, including school-based care, church affiliated programs, special needs care, weekend care, before and after school programs and summer camps.
Regional Training Institute
The Regional Training Institute provides professional development training for early childhood educators, preparing caregivers for mandatory state credentialing as a Child Development Associate (CDA). ECS has also developed and implemented an approved training class that meets the state mandated five-hour Literacy (birth to five) requirement for all child care providers.
School Readiness
Episcopal Children's Services serves as the School Readiness service provider for six counties in Northeast Florida, bringing a unified approach to the region. This also results in better starts for children, and ensures that they are eager to learn and ready to succeed when they enter kindergarten.
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten
Episcopal Children's Services organized the start-up and registration of children and providers for the state mandated Voluntary Pre-K program in five counties when the program began in 2005. Our efforts resulted in enrollment of 83 providers and over 1,800 children for the 2005 - 2006 school year.
Head Start/Early Head Start
Episcopal Children's Services operates nine Head Start centers and two Early Head Start centers in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Nassau and Union Counties.
Nutrition Program
Through the provisions of cash reimbursements, Episcopal Children's Services ensures that children at its 12 child care centers and Head Start sites in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Nassau, Union, and Duval Counties receive two nutritionally balanced meals and one snack each day in their child care environment.
Links to Literacy
Links to Literacy, the innovative preschool curriculum for reading readiness, developed by Episcopal Children's Services, is now available for purchase nationwide through Kaplan Early Learning Company. Links to Literacy is earning accolades from educators for its developmentally appropriate focus on language and literacy development.
Jacksonville Early Learning Partnership
This initiative by Mayor John Peyton and key staff is making a meaningful difference in Jacksonville's literacy rate, and the development of the language and literacy skills necessary for children to enter school ready to learn. Episcopal Children's Services partners with other leading organizations in the city to deploy teams of coaches, technical assistance staff, and trained volunteers into child care centers to help directors and teachers improve the quality of their environments, teaching methods, and curricula.
For more information please contact Jeanne Duffy at (904) 726-1500 ext. 222.
Early Learning Program For The Jacksonville Journey
The Early Learning Program incorporates various components to improve the quality of participating child care centers in Health Zone 1 in the city of Jacksonville. Coaching support in the use of developmentally appropriate curricula, family involvement strategies, professional development opportunities, technical support and community resources are provided for center staff and families through this program. Each component impacts the educational development and social-emotional health of children birth to five years of age. This early childhood program provides a foundation for early language and literacy success and makes a significant contribution to achieving the goal of Mayor John Peyton’s Jacksonville Journey initiative by providing quality, comprehensive, early childhood intervention services for children at risk for child abuse, neglect and other social–emotional concerns.
For more information please contact Deborah Springs at (904)726-1500 ext. 259
