August 2026 Provider Update

August 7, 2026

Attention VPK & SR Providers!

Please read the NEW updated information below regarding VPK and SR program providers! For general questions regarding this information, please contact our Provider Relations Department at (941) 757-2900 ext. 2300.

2026 Sales Tax Holiday

Only a few weeks left to stock up and save on back-to-school essentials exempt from sales tax during Florida’s extended 2026 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday July 20th-August 20th! For more information and a list of qualifying items, click the link below.

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Show & Tell Me More

ELC's partnership with Tandem now includes free accredited professional development for your teachers! Through Show and Tell Me More, your center gets FREE access to three accredited courses, one for each age group. Click below to learn more and get started today!

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All Access Program

The ELC of Manatee County has partnered with StraighterLine Educational Group to bring you FREE, All-Access Professional Development! Courses are available online in English and Spanish, are self-paced, and mobile-friendly. Get started today and earn hours for your participation!

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Join Us in September!

Mark your calendar and save the date to join us in person at the ELC for our next Provider Update Meeting on Tuesday, September 8th! Be sure to check your email for more details in the next few weeks!

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FrogStreet PreK Resources

If your center uses FrogStreet, they have recently added new Back-to-School support pieces! For access, log in to Lilypad, go to "Resource Center," select "PreK," and click on "Recently Added." For more information on FrogStreet PreK, click on the link below to watch a short overview video.

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What Every Parent Should Know

About VPK

Learn more about VPK and why it matters, sweet summer fun, creating simple routines for back-to-school success, tips for building strong partnerships with teachers, family fun before the school bell rings, and MORE in the August issue of DEL's Parents' Pages!

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TUESDAY

AUG 25

Tuesday Tune Up: Banking Time - Strengthening Relationships with Individual Children 6:30pm-7:30pm ET

Join us for an interactive Tuesday Tune-Up! Focused on open conversation, shared experiences, and collaborative learning, this session is designed to encourage meaningful discussion and connection among participants. Ask questions, share strategies, and learn from one another! Join us!

TUESDAY

AUG 25

NEW: Sleep Baby Safely Training

5:30pm-7:30pm, ELC Training Room

Sharpen the tools in your teacher, caregiver, or parent toolbox while learning how to help prevent infant deaths caused by unsafe sleep environments. Participants will earn 2.5 in-service hours and receive a stipend for completing the training. Learn More

OPEN

AUG 2026

Handle With Care Training

Handle with Care is an initiative aimed at helping children succeed in school

by alerting school staff with a simple notice when a student experiences a traumatic event involving law enforcement or Child Protection Services (CPS).

OPEN

AUG 2026

MarcoPolo August Trainings

MarcoPolo offers training in English and Spanish throughout July for ELC or RCMA Providers, Teachers, or Directors to learn more about how MarcoPolo for Families and MarcoPolo for Educators enhances family engagement and classroom quality. Learn More

THURSDAY

SEPT 24

Tandem Substitute Pool Provider Training

Session 3: Onboarding Tactics That Drive Retention 7:00pm

Through ELC Manatee's partnership with Tandem, providers have access to 4 quarterly virtual training sessions focused on staffing best practices. Register today to join us for Session 3 with Rachel Giannini! Learn how to keep educators engaged through onboarding steps, what makes a strong, welcoming first day, and simple ways to monitor engagement and support teachers through the first 90 days. Register