March 18, 2020
Updated Banking Information
It has been brought to the attention of the Coalition's Fiscal team that provider payments are being rejected by various banking institutions due to inaccurate account and/or routing numbers. If your banking institution notifies you of any updates or changes to your account or routing number, please notify the Coalition as soon as possible so we can update your account information and ensure you are paid in a timely manner.

Please submit any questions and/or concerns to the Redline .
School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten
Provider Contract Monitoring
As a precautionary measure, to prevent the possibility of exposure to and/or spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Coalition will be suspending SR and VPK provider contract onsite monitoring until further notice.
We are so excited to share the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida has been selected to be a part of the Community Bag Program, which is designed to make it easy for customers to contribute to their local community while supporting the environment. For the month of APRIL, each time a $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at any of the 10 Winn-Dixie stores located in Bay County, $1 will be donated to the Coalition, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag. Also, if you live outside of Bay County and would like to participate, don't worry! The Giving Tag Program runs all year long. All you have to do is purchase the Community Bag at any Winn-Dixie store and follow the instructions on the attached Giving Tag to direct the $1 donation to our organization. This is a great way to raise awareness, support the environment and fundraise for our cause. To learn more about this program and locate your nearest Winn-Dixie, please click the blue buttons below.
Bubbles and Toddlers 
Everyone knows blowing and watching bubbles are great fun, but you may not know they provide more than just entertainment. Bubble blowing plays important roles in cognitive, language, and physical development for toddlers.

Review the list below for fun activities to do inside, outside, at school or home.

  • Let toddlers pop the bubbles on different body parts while you label the parts.

  • Have toddlers get their hands wet and try to catch the bubbles gently.

  • Have toddlers blow on bubbles once the bubbles are in the air to see what happens!

For more bubble blowing fun and extension activities for parents, click the blue button below.
Caring Reminders from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
Fred Rogers Productions and WETA Station Relations would like to share some tips from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on how caregivers can relieve children’s insecurities and fears during stressful and challenging times.

  • Provide safe ways for children to express their feelings. For a Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood activity sheet click HERE!

  • Listen carefully to what your children are talking about. Acknowledge their feelings. Give them the words to describe how they feel such as, “It sounds like you’re feeling ‘scared,’ ‘unsure about what’s going to happen next,’ ‘sad,’ ‘angry.’

  • Remember to be calm and understanding when children are being clingy, whiny, or overactive. Helping them regain control of their feelings reassures them that you are keeping them safe.

  • Keep routines as familiar as possible & minimize children’s exposure to media coverage.

For more information on how to prepare the children in your care for unexpected events, click the blue button below.
Mud, Marvelous Mud!
Mud may seem dirty and you're right - but scientists have confirmed that playing in mud is not only a joyful experience, but also the dirt contains microscopic bacteria called Mycobacterium Vaccae which stimulates the immune system and increases the levels of serotonin in our brains, an endorphin that soothes, calms, and helps us to relax. Scientists say regular exposure to the bacteria may help reduce a child’s vulnerability to depression. In short, playing in mud makes you happier!

To review the various other benefits of playing in marvelous mud, please click the blue button below!
We know that this year has been hard, and when you find the teacher that is the right fit for your center you want to try to recognize them as much as you can. While we are all still picking up the pieces from last hurricane season, we know that you and your teachers still have a job to do.

This year, the Coalition would like to help you recognize teachers in your centers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. During the last week of every month, one teacher will be chosen for a prize in recognition of their hard work and dedication to the children they teach every day. You can nominate teachers from your centers by the 30th of every month by sending the following information through the  Redline:  

  • A photograph of the teacher (can be a head-shot or photo of them in action) 
  • A 1-paragraph biography 
  • One thing (or more) this teacher has done to go above any beyond the call of duty 

If your nominee wins, he or she must like the Coalition Facebook page and/or Twitter to be able to claim their prize. They can find us by searching @ELCNWF on both social media platforms.

We are starting this month so please get those nominations submitted by   Tuesday, March 31!
Census 2020
The Census Bureau has acknowledged their long-term misrepresentation of young children in decennial censuses and in Census Bureau surveys. Evaluations show that Census Bureau surveys like the American Community Survey, the Current Population Survey, and the Survey of Income and Program Participation also miss young children while counting, which can result in biased survey estimates.

To combat the misrepresentation of children ages birth to four, we ask that all parents be made aware of the benefits of counting their children.

Representation and funding make a difference where it matters, and it matters here.

Click the blue button below for a list of common family situations and Census approved answers to help the families you serve complete the Census.
Don't miss out on the year-round open enrollment with Florida KidCare!

With the help of Florida KidCare, staying healthy doesn't have to be difficult.

Florida KidCare provides the families of Northwest Florida with low-cost options for health and dental insurance for children birth to 18!

For eligibility information and applications click the blue button below.
We exist to grow healthy children, parents, and the relationship between them.
Sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning