Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County

10/13/2026

October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month!
This month is an opportunity to raise awareness that babies should always sleep safely every night and every nap: AONE on their BACKS in an empty CRIB, bassinet, or pack ‘n play.

Help all babies celebrate their first birthdays by practicing safe sleep:
✔️ Follow the Safe Sleep ABCs: Alone, Back, Crib
✔️ Share a room, not a bed
✔️ Stay alert while feeding during the night

Learn more safe sleep tips and how to create a safer sleep environment for your baby: https://elc-manatee.org/Sleep-Baby-Safely

10/12/2026

🍼 Save the date! MCR Health's 4th Annual Community Baby Shower is happening Saturday, October 17, from 11 AM - 1 PM at Manatee Technical College in Bradenton. Connect with local resources, learn about maternal and infant health programs, and enjoy giveaways, raffles, food, vendors, and family-friendly fun!

We will also be on-site, sharing information about the Sleep Baby Safely program and educating families on safe sleep practices to help keep babies safe.

10/08/2026

The October Parents’ Pages newsletter is available on the Florida Division of Early Learning website! Check out articles this month about Celebrating Head Start Awareness Month, Fall Storytelling: Building Language Skills in Early Learning, and more by visiting: https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/parents/parent-pages.stml

10/06/2026

Join Soar in 4 Manatee tomorrow, Wednesday, October 7th, from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm for a FREE Family Night at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature. Enjoy free admission for your whole family, tour the museum, receive literacy materials, and books to support your child's classroom learning at home through exploration and play.

For more information, visit https://soarin4.org/soar-in-4-events/

09/30/2026

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀!

Every child develops at their own pace. A developmental screening is a quick way to check how your child is growing and developing and can help identify areas where they may benefit from additional support.

📅 Our first screening date is October 14, 2026 — by appointment only!

Screenings are available for children 1 month through 5 years of age and look at important developmental areas such as communication, motor skills, problem-solving, social skills, vision, and hearing.

To schedule your appointment, call (941) 757-2900 ext. 2400 or email [email protected].

09/25/2026

Our website is now up and running! Thank you for your patience, and we hope you have a great weekend.

09/24/2026

ATTENTION
Please note our website is currently experiencing some technical difficulties. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Please feel free to call our office at (941) 757-2900 for assistance with SR and VPK.

09/16/2026

The September Parents’ Pages newsletter is available on the Florida Division of Early Learning website! Check out articles this month about How Florida’s Early Learning Standards and Assessments Work Together, Growing Strong: Resiliency, Mentorship and Citizenship in Early Learning, and more by visiting: https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/parents/parent-pages.stml

09/04/2026

Our office will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. We’ll reopen with normal hours on Tuesday, September 2, at 7:00 a.m. Wishing you a safe and restful holiday!

08/17/2026

Apply for New Worlds Reading for the 2026–27 school year! Eligible families get free books and activities starting in October. 📚
Apply at www.newworldsreading.com/en/enrollment

Submit your New Worlds Reading application for the 2026-27 school year! Eligible families receive free books and activities throughout the school year starting in October. Learn more and apply at www.newworldsreading.com/en/enrollment