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Pinellas County |
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December 2025 |
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EARLY LEARNING DIGEST |
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We're Moving |
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The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County (ELC Pinellas) is pleased to Families can continue to receive in-person support at both the North New South County Office Address: North County Office: Community-Based Locations:
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Contracts |
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For all our VPK Providers that started on August 11, 2025, with the District If you are following the district calendar and offering instruction 3 hours each day, the window for PM 2 is now open for most of you. All VPK Providers are responsible for calculating their program’s testing windows. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out or join us for one of our Help Desk sessions. Remember, for PM 2, testing cannot begin until at least 40% of your instructional hours are completed, and testing must be completed before 60% of your instructional hours are complete. Children must be tested during VPK instructional hours. Testing that occurs outside of VPK hours cannot be counted towards the VPK hours. Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas (ELCP) sends reminders about testing window deadlines. After receiving your reminder, please double-check that all children are tested within the window. The state rules require testing of all children enrolled during the window with the exceptions outlined in the VPK Program Guide to FAST Star Early Literacy. If you have any questions, please contact us at contracts@elcpinellas.org so that we may advise you.
Contract Help Desk - Last Wednesday of the Month: 1 pm |
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Contract Questions?
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Join the January Quest National CDA Cohort |
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Are you ready to take the next step in your early childhood career? The Quest Program at the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County is now enrolling for our January cohort. This opportunity to earn a National CDA is available at no cost for educators working in School Readiness contracted sites that participate in Program Assessment.
The Quest National CDA Program is offered fully online and includes a combination
of live sessions, on-demand coursework, and dedicated instructional coaching. Throughout the program, you will learn practical, hands-on strategies while working closely with a coach who supports all aspects of the CDA process and is committed to your success every step of the way. Spaces are limited! CLICK HERE to learn more about the program and complete
our interest form. A team member will follow up with you. General questions about Quest may be sent to Quest@ELCPinellas.org. |
Quality Services: Classy Conversations |
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Join us for CLASSy Conversations, our exciting series on the last Tuesday of each month. These live, virtual sessions foster familiarity with CLASS for new staff and ensure seasoned members stay sharp to avoid CLASS drift LEARN MORE HERE |
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Welcome to this month's edition of "CLASSy Accreditation Corner." We are excited to |
Grand Opening of President Obama Library |
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Early Intervention Services Spotlight |
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Behavior Buzz Faithful Beginnings provides its children with hands-on experiences through a variety of fall-themed sensory activities. Did you know that regularly offering sensory activities to the children in your care will help them build brain connections and strengthen their fine and gross motor skills? Additionally, by asking open-ended questions about their play, you encourage language development, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Offering sensory play that includes activities such as dumping, sorting, and stacking can also aid in behavior management and social-emotional learning skills. It allows children to strengthen their attention span, focus, self-regulation, and impulse control. When creating your lesson plans, remember to incorporate sensory activities, such as sensory bins, sand tables, or finger painting.
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If you’re a Family Child Care Home provider and have questions regarding behavior, need resources related to behavior management, or want to chat with a Behavior Specialist to get tips or support about Challenging behavior? Then we’ve got the support for you!
Every Tuesday between 1 pm and 2 pm, MaryGrace (Supervisor of Behavioral Interventions) will host BIG Time on Zoom. Each week, she will log on and be available to provide guidance and support related to Behavior Management and Social-Emotional Learning.
Please see the link below to join the Zoom meeting on Tuesdays from 1 pm to 2 pm
BIG Time Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85848792581 |
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10 Holiday Tips for Happier Kids The holiday season can be exciting—but also overwhelming—for young children. As a childcare provider, you play a key role in helping kids feel safe, joyful, and supported. Here are 10 simple tips to help create a calm, festive environment for the children in your care: 1. Encourage Daily Movement 2. Celebrate Traditions 3. Be Mindful of Sugar 4. Focus on Giving 5. Maintain Routines 6. Involve Kids in Helping Others 7. Prioritize Rest 8. Practice Gratitude 9. Take Care of Yourself 10. Make It Fun!
As you celebrate the season, remember Help Me Grow is just a call away—bringing care, connection, and resources to families.
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ASQ UPDATE: Please check the Provider Portal frequently to see if you have any screenings due.
Please be aware of the required DUE DATE column. Completing the
When a screening request is due within 15 days of the due date, it goes into a YELLOW status. Screening requests are considered past due on the due date and go into RED status. Once past due, providers will be sent to enforcement to ensure ASQ completion.
Call Anjanette at (727) 400-4452 with ASQ questions or for assistance with ASQs. |
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Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County, Inc., the State of Florida, |
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