Parents are the child's primary teachers.
This page is dedicated to you. We understand how difficult the
decision is to find the best childcare and educational opportunities
for your child. Here are a listing of resources for you to help
in this search.
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| Agency |
Programs |
| VOLUNTARY PRE-KINDERGARTEN - OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING |
A constitutional amendment passed by Florida’s voters in November 2002 requires a voluntary prekindergarten program for all four-year-old children by fall 2005. The program is designed to prepare four-year-old children for kindergarten and build the foundations for their educational success and is provided at no cost to the parent. This program is voluntary for children and providers. |
| Contact
Info: |
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee , FL32399-0400
(850) 245-0445
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Web Site:
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www.fldoe.org/earlyLearning/
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Download File:
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FAQ for Parents (Revised 02/15/05)
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| CHILD CARE AWARE |
WHY CHOOSING QUALITY CHILD CARE MATTERS? |
| Contact
Info: |
1319 F Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington , DC20004
1-800-424-2246
info@childcareaware.org |
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Web Site:
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www.childcareaware.org/
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Download File:
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Click Here to Print
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| DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES - DUVAL - DISTRICT 4 |
The Department of Children & Families is committed to working in partnership with local communities to ensure safety, well-being and self-sufficiency for the people it serves. Visit the DCF website to obtain information on child care licensing, or to review the license status of child care providers. |
| Contact
Info: |
5920 Arlington Expressway
Jacksonville , FL32211
(904) 723-2000
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Web Site:
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http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/
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Download File:
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Click Here to Print
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| FLORIDA CHILDREN'S FORUM |
The Forum is a private, not-for-profit organization committed to enhancing and improving the quality, affordability, and availability of child care and early education through a broad array of programs, services, and publications. |
| Contact
Info: |
2807 Remington Green Circle
Tallahassee , FL32308
(850) 681-7002
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Web Site:
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http://www.fcforum.org
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Download File:
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Click Here to Print
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| FLORIDA DIRECTORY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES |
The Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services/Central Directory is a valuable resource for families and professionals needing information about disabilities and special health care services for children and young adults birth to 21 years. It's confidential, and it works! Our babies grow so quickly, getting the help they need early in life can make a real difference. It's as easy as dialing 1-800-654-4440. A Resource Specialist at the Florida Children's Forum will assist you with your needs and/or refer you to a local provider. |
| Contact
Info: |
2807 Remington Green Circle
Tallahassee , FL32308
(800) 654-4440
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Web Site:
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http://www.centraldirectory.org
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Download File:
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Click Here to Print
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| ELC OF DUVAL - CHILD CARE RESOURCE & REFERRAL |
No decision is more important, or more difficult, than choosing an early care and education arrangement that best meets their family’s needs. CCR&Rs are committed to helping families find answers to their questions regarding how to locate, choose and use quality programs as well as other early care and education concerns they may have.
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Info: |
6850 BELFORT OAKS PLACE, SUITE 102
JACKSONVILLE , FL32216
(904) 208-2044
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Web Site:
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https://spe.schoolreadiness.org/pe/
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Download File:
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Click Here to Print
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| UNITED WAY OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA - 2-1-1 |
People living in a 10-county region of Northeast Florida can now dial 2-1-1, the new, easy to remember, three-digit telephone number for free information and referral and access to health, social and human services. The 10-county area includes: Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Baker, Nassau, Columbia, Suwannee, Hamilton, Bradford and Putnam counties.
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Info: |
Jacksonville , FL
211
firstcall3@uwnefl.org |
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Web Site:
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http://www.nefl211.org
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Download File:
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Click Here to Print
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| DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
The Duval County Public Schools are committed to providing high quality educational opportunities that will inspire all students to acquire and use the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a culturally diverse and technologically sophisticated world. |
| Contact
Info: |
1701 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville , FL32207
(904) 390-2000
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Web Site:
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www.duvalschools.org/
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Download File:
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Click Here to Print
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| WORKSOURCE FLORIDA - FIRST COAST WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT |
First Coast Workforce Development is a publicly-funded agency that provides extensive workforce-related services to six counties in the First Coast area-Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns. |
| Contact
Info: |
2141 Loch Rane Blvd, Suite 217
Orange Park , FL32073
(904) 213-3800
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Web Site:
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http://www.worksourcefl.com
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Download File:
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Click Here to Print
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Biting is a common habit that many young children begin to develop when they enter into childcare. This can be very frustrating and confusing to parents, especially when their child care provider does not know how to respond to the situation. It is important to understand the many reason’s why children may bite, so that parent’s and child care providers can prevent this behavior from occurring. Many times this is not just an act of bad behavior, but a time where children are seeking attention. Other reasons why children bite: toddlers are curious by nature and will often bite to see what something tastes like, or to get a reaction, children who are teething think that biting feels good, a child may bite simply because they are copying the actions of another child, or a child may be angry and frustrated. There are some strategies to prevent biting and ease the situation. Parents can give children opportunities to express their independence by allowing them to choose what to eat, what toys to play with, etc. Providing more toys for children to play with will help decrease fighting over the same toy. Parent’s can teach the child to say “no” if another child is doing something he/she doesn't’t like. A parent can look for signs of potential anger or frustration by being aware of the child’s feelings. Whatever the reason is that the child bites, it is important as parents and caregiver’s to respond to each situation appropriately. The adult that is around the child should keep record of the patterns of biting to help identify the need the child may be trying to express.
(Adapted from National Network of Child Care and AWI Resource and Referral Guide)
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 Need help with child care?
Contact the Jacksonville Children’s Commission through the Single Point of Entry web site at: https://spe.schoolreadiness.org/pe.
If you are eligible, your name will be placed on the Unified Wait List for assistance with child care.
To be eligible you must qualify under at least one of these categories:
- Be employed 20 hours a week or more
- Be attending college/technical school 20 hours a week or more
- Have a disabling condition with a doctor’s letter of explanation
Use this chart below to see if your gross annual income qualifies:
Effective July 1, 2009
| Family Size |
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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Income
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0-21,855 |
0-27,465 |
0-33,075 |
0-38,685 |
0-44,295 |
If you have more questions about financial assistance with child care contact the Children’s Commission at:
www.coj.net/Departments/Children+Commission
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 …what you think about us! If you received referrals from Child Care Resource and Referral, use this link to our Phone Satisfaction Survey. We would like your feedback on the telephone interview the Family Services Specialist conducted with you. We also want to know if you found child care and if the brochures or booklets we sent you were helpful.
 Click Here for Online Survey
 Click Here for Printer Version to Fax or Mail
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The following frequently asked questions about Voluntary Pre K may help answer some of your questions. If not, please call CCR&R at the number listed at the end of this article.
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- Can I use the summer session and the school year session?"
No; you choose one or the other session.
- “Which summer session can I use?” Children who are four by September 1st of 2006 may choose the summer session beginning no earlier than May 1, 2007. The summer session is an available choice if your child did not use the school year session.
- Do I have to register in person? Yes, the child's parent or guardian must register in person. Bring proof of eligibility when completing the application; these are documents showing the parent's address and the child's date of birth. (We don't need social security cards or numbers.) The address on the proof of residency must match the address on the application.
- Where does my child attend VPK? Where your child attends VPK is up to you; preschools, faith based programs, Family Child Care Homes and early learning facilities all participate in the VPK program. (The public school system in Duval County participates only in the summer program.)
- When does it start? You can choose a school year or summer program. The school year program includes a Fall or Winter schedule, or you can choose the Summer program. The Fall VPK program, begins no earlier than the first day of public school but may begin as late as October. The Fall program may end between April and late May. The VPK Winter program begins in January and ends in June. They both deliver the 540 instructional hours.
The Summer program begins anytime after May 1st and is 300 instructional hours. You may choose from the group of providers listed earlier as well as participating public elementary schools.
- When is my child eligible? How old your child is on September the 1st is how you know. Children who are still four years old on September 1st of the program year, are eligible to attend the school year or summer program. If your child turned five on September 1, we’re talking Kindergarten. If your child turned five on September 2nd, it’s Voluntary Pre Kindergarten. As long as a child is still four years old on September 1, they are VPK eligible.
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If you’d like a list of participating VPK providers, let CCR&R be your guide. We can tailor a referral listing according to your preferred location. We’ll have examples to help you choose programs that demonstrate developmentally appropriate practices. All you need to do is call (904) 208-2044 x: 5.
 To apply at our office, please call for an appointment. Appointments are available Monday through Thursday, 11:00- 2:00. Call 208-2044.
Walk-Ins are available on a first come, first served basis 8:30- 4:30.
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Duval County Public School Calendar
Duval Public School Holidays
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- U.S. Department of Justice, Americans with Disabilities Act
- Children’s Medical Services, This site lists specialty medical programs for infants to young adults, including Early Steps.
- Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services, This is a valuable resource for families and professionals needing information on special needs birth to 21 years.
- Family Network on Disabilities, FND of Florida, Inc. is a statewide network of families and individuals who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs and their families, professionals, and concerned citizens.
- Family Village, This on-line service integrates information, resources, and communication opportunities on the Internet for persons with cognitive and other disabilities, for their families, and for those that provide services and support.
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