Child Care of Southwest Florida provides early learning education to more than 350 children across Lee and Hendry counties. The organization accepts children ages 6 weeks through 8 years old, including students enrolled in Florida’s Volunteer Prekindergarten (VPK) program. VPK is a state-funded, high-quality early childhood education program that helps students develop a strong academic, social and behavioral foundation prior to entering school.

“The summer and spring terms are crucial for 4- and 5-year-olds who will be entering kindergarten next fall,” said Chris Hansen, CEO of Child Care of Southwest Florida. “Our centers provide children a safe, nurturing environment to foster development and success in their future learning. VPK can ensure students start school on the right foot, and there is still space available at three of our high-quality learning centers.”

Nutritious meals and snacks are included at no additional charge through Child Care of Southwest Florida’s participation in the USDA’s Child Food Care Program. The three locations accepting new student registrations include:

• P.A. Geraci Child Development Center (3713 Canal St. in Fort Myers): 239-337-4995
• The Children’s Learning Center (37 Barkley Circle in Fort Myers): 239-267-1136
• Joseph H. Messina Children’s Center (4650 Fowler St. in Fort Myers): 239-278-1148

Child Care of Southwest Florida follows the nationally recognized, research-based Creative Curriculum for preschool, which builds a safe, supportive learning environment that develops young minds, strengthens the community and secures the future. Each early learning center is accredited through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Learning Leaders and is a Gold Seal Quality Care Program through the Florida Department of Children and Families. Additionally, centers maintain five-star ratings through the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida.

For more information or to register a child, please visit ccswfl.org.

About Child Care of Southwest Florida

Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc. (CCSWFL) is a nonprofit early childhood education provider with five learning centers in Lee and Hendry counties that serve more than 350 children from 6 weeks to 8 years old. Each center is accredited through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Learning Leaders and is recognized as a Gold Seal Quality Care Program through the Florida Department of Children and Families. All five CCSWFL locations have five-star ratings through the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida. CCSWFL follows the nationally recognized, research-based Creative Curriculum, with a goal of creating safe, nurturing learning environments that develop young minds, support families, strengthen the community and secure the future. Through its participation in the USDA’s Child Food Care Program, each child has access to a healthy, nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks. Sponsor, volunteer and donation opportunities are available. For more information, please visit ccswfl.org.

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Voluntary Prekindergarten gives children a jump-start by preparing them for school and enhancing their pre-reading, pre-math, language, and social skills. Certified teachers teach VPK classrooms focusing on school readiness and social and emotional well-being. By developing the early skills children need to become strong students, they are more likely to be successful in school.

To be eligible, children must live in Florida and be four years old on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year. Through Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, parents can register their qualifying child to attend 540 hours of preschool during the regular school year, or 300 hours of summertime preschool. In 2022-23, Early Learning Coalition reported 7,464 children attended 260 different VPK programs in Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades Counties.

To register, families must first apply for a VPK voucher online at VPKSWFL.org. Individuals can also visit the Early Learning Coalition office, located at 2675 Winkler Ave., Suite 300 in Fort Myers, for assistance from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office provides free kiosks, and no appointments are needed.

To learn more about summer VPK, visit VPKSWFL.org or call (239) 935-6100.

About Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida

Supported by a Florida Department of Education grant, the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida exists to enhance the quality of children’s lives by providing families, early childhood educators, caregivers, and community partners in Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties with opportunities to impact the future positively. To learn more or to donate, visit ELCofSWFL.org or call (239) 935-6100.

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