The Performance Metrics have been released, and Pinellas County had GREAT metrics. Over 77% of our VPK Providers had a performance metric that was Above Expectations or Excellent! Over 20% of our providers are Meeting Expectations. That means over 97% of our providers are meeting and/or exceeding State expectations for readiness. The State average was 88%. Well Done, Pinellas County VPK Providers! Find out more about the metrics here > VPK Accountability Page
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Thank you to all the providers who offered Summer VPK. The benefit to the children participating will surely be evident in their first kindergarten year. Your efforts are appreciated. Performance Metric designations for Summer VPK should be out in late September.
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For all our VPK Providers who started with the district on August 11th, we are about halfway through our PM 1 testing window for FAST. Please ensure that all children are entered and visible on your rosters. Remember, if you have any issues with Renaissance, need to report a problem, or deactivate a test, you can find all that information on Division of Early Learning (DEL)’s website, HERE.
While ELCP intends to send reminders about testing window deadlines, please remember
that the ultimate responsibility for ensuring all children are tested within the
window falls to the Provider. Providers who consistently fail to test all children within the windows will be required to complete corrective action.
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CONTRACT SPECIALIST ASSIGNMENT CHANGES
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As you know, the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas (ELCP) has had to adapt to a large budget cut for this program year. This has impacted all the departments at the agency, including Contracts. We have re-arranged our program assignments, and you may not have the same Specialist you had in the past. Those providers who previously had both an SR and a VPK Specialist will now have only one Specialist.
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You are always welcome to contact your contract specialist directly, but if you have a
general question and wish to send it to our contracts@elcpinellas.org inbox, we’ll be
happy to answer your questions. Your Contract Specialists spend a good deal of time
in the field, so if you have a pressing issue, try our email address.
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Updated Caseload Assignments Available!
We’ve have had to make changes to caseload assignments and to make sure you know exactly who to reach out to when you need support. Each provider has an assigned ELCP staff member with direct contact information to better assist you.
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Partnering for Early Learning Excellence
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ELCP's Provider Services had the incredible opportunity to partner with Pinellas County Schools to deliver professional learning for early childhood educators!
Our sessions focused on building meaningful connections to the CLASS tool and promoting trauma-informed practices that create supportive, engaging environments for young learners. Together, we explored strategies around smooth transitions, purposeful outdoor play, and boosting classroom quality with confidence.
We’re proud to support educators in starting the school year strong—
and we extend a big thank you to PCS for their ongoing collaboration and
shared commitment to early learning excellence!
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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
share some simple yet effective strategies for enhancing classroom quality, boosting
CLASS scores, and positively impacting child outcomes.
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Early Intervention Services Spotlight
Conscious Discipline SpotlightConscious Discipline
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Behavior Buzz
ELCP's Behavioral Interventions Team is proud to announce the rollout of two new initiatives for the 2025-2026 school year.
Our first initiative is BREATHE, short for Behavioral Response Education and Teaching Healthy Emotions. This initiative will be for our SR Centers (who are not already receiving coaching through ELCP) and LFCCHs. These programs can receive monthly or
quarterly contact (either in person or over the phone) from
their assigned Behavior Specialist.
In addition to our Specialists providing individualized support for ASQs, ASQ-SEs, and Requests for Service, providers can receive guidance and resources related to best practices when working through challenging behavior and SEL. The Behavior Team has already begun introducing themselves to the new programs in their zones and is excited to start full implementation on September 1st, 2025!
Our second initiative, BIG Time, is for our FCCHs. Our Behavioral Interventions Supervisor will hold weekly Zoom meetings that
are open-ended and provider-led.
Our home providers can log on and ask questions about challenging behavior and SEL, collaborate with other providers on the call, and seek resources on specific topics. There is no requirement to attend, but the Behavioral Interventions Supervisor will be available during the scheduled time each week for those who would like the additional support.
Our FCCHs can also complete the Request for Service form on our website for children needing observations and further interventions. This initiative is scheduled to launch in September 2025, so stay tuned for more details!
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Help Me Grow Pinellas (HMGP) Highlights
Conscious Discipline Spotlight
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Back-to-School = Back to Routines!
Help families ease into the school year by sharing tips for smoother mornings at home.
Encourage:
- Visual schedules to reduce stress and build independence.
- Consistent bedtime & morning routines.
- Planning ahead during the bedtime routine.
- Positive reinforcement for following steps.
Predictable routines help children feel secure and ready to engage in
learning from the moment they arrive.
Need extra support for a child’s development?
Encourage families to connect with Help Me Grow Pinellas—a free resource that offers developmental screenings, parenting support, and guidance from birth to age 5.
Because when we support caregivers, we support children.
On April 5th, Childcare professionals gathered at Calvary Kids Care for the Conscious Discipline training, Deep Dive into Perception and Composure. Our presenter, Nicole Mercer, discussed mindset and how perception creates our assumptions of others. Participants also explored the five steps of self-regulation and how they can incorporate Conscious Discipline's Safe Keeper Ritual into their classrooms. Here are some takeaways from the training:
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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 Developmental Screenings before the due date is necessary to avoid progressive enforcement due to noncompliance.
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.
and the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning.
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