School Readiness Provider Contracts

For further details, please contact the Contract Manager team 305-359-5550.

Contract Manager Case Loads

Becoming A School Readiness Provider

The School Readiness program is a state and federally funded child care tuition assistance program that prepares children to become ready for school, assists families in becoming financially self-sufficient, and provides parents with information about child development and other topics of interest.

Providers interested in becoming a School Readiness Child Care Provider should submit a copy of the Provider Update Form below with a copy of your current Child Care License to their PreScreenings@elcmdm.org.

• Download the Provider Update Form

Questions? Please contact our Pre-Screenings dept via email: Prescreenings@elcmdm.org or by phone: 305-359-5550.

Changes to Florida Law regarding School Readiness Program Assessment:

House Bill 1091, which passed during the 2018 legislative session, requires that a Program Assessment is conducted on all providers seeking to contract for the School Readiness program. This includes existing providers who are renewing their contract, as well as new providers applying for the first time. In order to receive a Program Assessment, providers are required to register all of their instructors and classrooms into the Quality Performance System (QPS). Providers who do not complete the registration process will not be eligible to enter into a School Readiness contract or participate in the School Readiness program.

• Please visit https://portal-qps.floridaearlylearning.com/ in order to complete the registration process.
• School Readiness Program Assessment FAQ
• School Readiness Program Assessment information page

Florida Law regarding insurance issues and provider responsibilities:

• Insurance changes in House Bill 7165
• House Bill 7165 Question and Answer Provider Tip Sheet

For more information go to http://www.floridaearlylearning.com/providers.aspx

The types of providers who can participate in the School Readiness Program are:

Registered Family Child Care - Cares for no more than 10 children based on state ratio guidelines

Licensed Large Family Child Care - Cares for no more than 12 children based on state ratio guidelines; has one employee/assistant

Licensed Child Care Center - Cares for children based on state ratio guidelines, and capacity is calculated by square footage

Licensed Exempt Child Care Center - Cares for children based on state ratio guidelines; is either a school-age only program or is an accredited religious exempt provider

Public School - Meets guidelines set forth by the Department of Education

School Readiness Documents

• 2024 Sliding Fee Scale Miami-Dade and Monroe
• At-Risk Child Unexcused Absence Report (updated 6/1/2022)
• Transfer Request
• Division of Early Learning Provider Portal
• Approved School Readiness Curricula 2022
• To change banking information click here and follow the instructions on the form

Licensing

School Readiness Funded Provider License Policy

School Readiness Child Safety Licensing Policy

DCF Licensing Violations

The Ages & Stages Questionnaires^®

The Office of Early Learning Florida and the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe have adopted the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) to meet the statutory requirements outlined in Rule 6M-4.720: Screening of Children in the School Readiness Program.

The Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, provide reliable, accurate developmental and social-emotional screening for children between birth and age 6. Drawing on the expert knowledge of caregivers, ASQ® has been specifically designed to pinpoint developmental progress and catch delays in young children- paving the way for meaningful next steps in learning.  

Ages & Stages Questionnaires^®, Third Edition (ASQ^®-3) is a developmental screening tool designed for use by families, early care and education partners, and health care professionals. It focuses on a child’s general functioning in communication, motor, and cognitive areas. It relies on parents as experts, is easy-to-use, family-friendly, and creates the snapshot needed to catch delays and celebrate milestones.

Ages & Stages Questionnaires®: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ®:SE-2)  focuses on social-emotional skills and behavior. Use the ASQ®:SE-2 as a companion to the Ages & Stages Questionnaires^®, Third Edition (ASQ^®-3) to get a comprehensive look at a young child’s development.

Why Screening Matters:
Screening young children is an effective, efficient way for professionals to check a child’s development, help parents celebrate their child’s milestones and know what to look for next, and determine whether follow-up steps are needed. It’s also an essential first step toward identifying children with delays or disorders in the critical early years before they start school.

Source: (2021). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.