Mission, Vision & Values
Every Child Deserves a Strong Start
If you have a child under five, you are making big decisions during one of the busiest seasons of your life. You are balancing work, schedules, finances, and the constant question in the back of your mind:
Is my child safe? Are they learning? Am I making the right choice?
The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County exists to help you answer those questions with confidence.
We work to ensure every child in our community has access to safe, high-quality early childhood education, and that families have clear, practical support as they navigate child care providers and financial assistance.
Our goal is simple: to help every child build a strong foundation before kindergarten.
Our Mission
Our mission is to prepare children for lifelong success through quality early learning.
Here is what that means for you:
- We help you find early childhood education programs focused on learning and development.
- We provide financial assistance for eligible families to make care more affordable.
- We support and train educators so your child is learning from prepared professionals.
- We strengthen the local early learning system, helping make it easier to navigate.
We believe children deserve more than supervision. They deserve intentional teaching, nurturing relationships, and safe learning environments where they can grow socially, emotionally, and academically.
Our Vision
Every child develops a strong foundation of learning in a community dedicated to ensuring all families have the necessary support to thrive and all children reach their full potential.
- We want children to enter kindergarten ready to participate, listen, problem-solve, and grow.
- We want parents to go to work knowing their child is in a safe, nurturing environment.
- We want early education to be treated as essential to our community’s future.
The Heart of Our Work
Empowering Every Child
We believe every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential. Guided by their growth, safety, and happiness, we create a supportive learning community that respects each child and nurtures their individual strengths. We empower children to learn, grow, and thrive with confidence, courage, and a lifelong love of learning.
Equity & Inclusion
We commit to equity by removing barriers and providing the support every child and family needs to thrive. We value diversity and inclusion through accessible classrooms, culturally responsive materials, adaptive supports, family engagement, and celebrations of heritage, ensuring fair outcomes for all.
Family & Community Partnerships
We honor families as children’s first and most important teachers and build strong partnerships with families, educators, and community organizations. Together, we create a welcoming, supportive network that strengthens resilience and helps every child thrive.
Excellence
We pursue the highest standards in early learning, striving for excellence, continuous improvement, and meaningful outcomes that ensure every child receives the quality care and education they deserve.
Integrity & Accountability
We act with honesty, transparency, and accountability, upholding ethical principles and taking responsibility for our actions, decisions, and stewardship to benefit children and families
Innovation
We embrace creativity, innovation, and forward-thinking strategies to adapt, continuously improve, and enhance early learning, meeting the evolving needs of children, families, and providers.
Professionalism
We lead by example with respect, integrity, and excellence, fostering a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and lifelong learning in service to children, families, and our community.