School Readiness
Financial Assistance for Early Education in Florida
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Rent. Groceries. Gas. Child care. Life adds up fast. And you should not have to choose between stability and high-quality early learning for your child.
At the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County (ELC), we believe every child deserves a strong start, and every family deserves a clear path to get there. Whether you call it daycare, preschool, or nursery school, we connect eligible families with financial assistance for child care through Florida’s School Readiness Program.
School Readiness (SR) is a statewide program for families with children from birth through age 12. It helps make child care and afterschool programs more accessible and affordable so parents can finish high school, enroll in college, secure a job, or move forward in their careers.
When families have dependable care, children flourish and parents can breathe easier. Life just feels a little lighter.
Who is Eligible for School Readiness?
School Readiness eligibility is based on:
- Parent(s) who are working or participating in an educational or job training program (such as college or trade school) for at least 20 hours per week OR are disabled as verified by a licensed physician.
- Household gross income at or below 55% of the State Median Income (SMI) for your family size
- Ability to contribute a copayment, based on income and family size
- Other families may qualify if they have unique circumstances, special needs or are considered at‑risk through referrals from local community agencies. We look at each situation individually
In some cases, families with a gross household income up to 70% SMI may be eligible if local funding is available.
How the Sliding Fee Schedule Works
School Readiness helps families afford child care, but it does not mean care is free. The program uses a sliding fee scale, where families pay a portion of the costs (copayment) based on income and household size, and the School Readiness funds help cover the rest up to an approved amount. This shared‑cost model allows more families across Sarasota County to receive financial assistance.
*Please note: Some families may also pay a differential fee and a registration fee, which are additional costs charged by their selected child care provider.
How to Apply
Applying for School Readiness is simple and can be done online.
1
Visit the Family Portal
Apply through the Florida Division of Early Learning’s Family Portal.
2
Create an account and complete the School Readiness Application
Fill out the application with your household, income, and child information. This helps determine if you may qualify for assistance.
3
Complete Eligibility Verification (if approved)
If your initial application is approved, you’ll need to submit documents to verify eligibility.
4
Choose a Child Care Provider
If approved, you can choose any early learning provider that is contracted with the ELC for School Readiness. Our team can give you a full list of all available providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for financial assistance?
Families who earn up to 70% of the State Median Income (SMI) and who work or attend school at least 20 hours per week OR are disabled as verified by a licensed physician may qualify for School Readiness funding.
Children with special needs or those considered at risk may also be eligible through referrals from local community partners.
What costs will I be responsible for?
Families are assigned a copayment based on household income and size using a sliding fee scale, which is paid directly to the child care provider. In addition, some providers may charge registration or differential fees to attend their program.
I’m on the waiting list. What does this mean?
School Readiness funding is limited. When funding becomes available for your family, you will receive two email notifications at the email address listed in your Family Portal account. You will have 30 days from the notification date to log in, submit your eligibility verification, and provide the required documentation. If you do not respond within 30 days, you will need to reapply.
How long will I be on the waitlist?
Wait times vary based on funding availability and eligibility priorities. Funding is distributed according to priority guidelines and on a first-come, first-served basis.
What documents do I need to apply?
For the initial application, you must submit documentation based on your purpose for care. Please provide one of the following, depending on your situation. For two-parent households, one document must be uploaded for each parent.
Employment
- A recent paystub showing hours worked and gross income.
- A letter from your employer on company letterhead stating the parent’s work hours and pay rate or annual salary. The letter must be recently dated and hand-signed.
- If self-employed: a self-statement confirming you are self-employed, describing the type of work you do and the number of hours you work per week.
- A Verification of Employment form completed by the employer.
School Enrollment
- A school schedule for the current semester showing credit hours or actual hours.
- A letter from the school on school letterhead confirming the credit or actual hours the parent is enrolled in for the current semester.
Disability
- A Social Security Award letter showing the payment amount (must be recently dated).
- A letter from a physician confirming the parent is disabled and unable to work, either temporarily or permanently.
- A Verification of Disability form completed by a licensed physician.
Once you are selected from the waitlist, additional documentation will be required. Click here to view the full list of required documents.
Have Other Questions About Financial Assistance?
Our team is here to help you every step of the way. If you have questions about the School Readiness Program or the Family Portal, please reach out through info@elcsarasota.org