Our Programs
Early Learning Centers
ECS operates three early learning centers 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. ECS Child Care Resource and Referral is one of three organizations in the state that is recognized as a Quality Assured Program through the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA).
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 ten 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 245 family child care homes and 13 child care centers 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.