March 23, 2020

Coronavirus Guidance: Regarding School Readiness
or Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Programs


Dear Osceola County Families,

The Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County (Coalition) and our partner, Community Coordinated Care for Children, Inc. (4C) are closely following information from state and local officials concerning the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and monitoring its impact on the families and providers that we serve.

Child care providers who contract with the Coalition to provide School Readiness or VPK services are privately owned businesses. At this time, the decision to remain open or to close lies with the business owner. While we provide guidance to our providers during an emergency, your child care provider should be communicating with you directly about their business decisions.

We are committed to providing helpful information regarding your School Readiness and VPK services. On March 19, 2020, the Governor issued an Executive Order that supports families during this time by:

  • Not terminating your child’s School Readiness eligibility due to loss of employment or the purpose for care you qualified under.
  • Extending the length of time that you have to re-certify your eligibility for continued School Readiness services.
  • Waiving parent copayment fees for all eligible families in School Readiness regardless of income.  

Please, if your child becomes sick (any illness) please keep them at home, they do not need to attend the School Readiness or VPK program. As of now, follow the normal process that you use if your child is sick: call your child care provider and let them know that your child will not be attending on that day(s). Be sure to check with your provider about their absence policies.

We want to do our part to keep you and your family healthy along with our staff. At this time, we have closed the lobbies at both of our locations to the public. Please call 4C, 321-219-6300, a member of our Family Services team will help you. 

You may also reach us by visiting our websites at www.elcosceola.org  or www.4cflorida.org . We ask that you be patient as things are changing daily and we expect a high volume of calls. If you have concerns about your child’s kindergarten, elementary, middle or high school plans, please contact the School District of Osceola County or your child’s school for information. 

I assure you that the Coalition, along with 4C, is committed to walking beside you as we navigate these challenging times together. Please take care of yourself and your family. 


All my best, 

Amanda Kelkenberg
Chief Executive Officer
Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County