Early Childhood Education Initiative

Preparing Kids for School in Polk, Hardee & Highlands Counties

UWCF’s Early Childhood Education Initiative helps children to enter school ready to read.

Help us give all children a fighting chance to succeed in school and in life.

Less than 50% of Polk County’s kindergarten students pass the school readiness assessment. Children who start behind, stay behind. Students who enter kindergarten passing the school readiness assessment are more likely to learn to read at grade level, pass 3rd grade standardized tests and graduate on time.

Working with local experts in early education, UWCF established standards for early literacy services, age-appropriate curricula and assessments.

Types of Early Childhood Education services we fund:

Early education training for teachers and paraprofessionals at childcare centers that serve hard-working, low-income families
Childcare and early literacy programs for typically developing and special needs children (with sliding fee scales based on family size and income)
Childcare and early literacy programs that are specialized for children experiencing homelessness
Early literacy programs for children with parents enrolled in GED and English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes
Parent education
Early literacy summer camps
Assessment and assistance for children with special needs, including but not limited to vision and hearing impairments, speech and language delays, physical and cognitive challenges

23,433

children were better prepared for school last year thanks to UWCF-funded programs.

How we hold these services accountable:

Children 4 to 5 years old will pass school readiness assessments upon entering kindergarten. (Mandatory for partners serving pre-k students.)
Children birth to 6 years old will improve pre/post intervention performance on at least one approved indicator, scoring closer to widely held expectations for development and learning.

Partner agencies with funded services include:

Achievement Academy, Inc.
Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center
Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland
Early Learning Coalition of Polk County
Family Literacy Academy at Lake Wales
Florida Children’s Museum
Learning Resource Center of Polk County, Inc.
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision, Polk Division
The Salvation Army Serving West Polk
YMCA of West Central Florida

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November 27, 2022

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November 22, 2022

The Importance of Early Childhood Education

Success in Highlands County

Early Learning Coalition Success Story

February 27, 2018

Success Story – The Salvation Army of Lakeland & West Polk County

November 30, 2017

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Have you visited the Children’s Resource Center?

The Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center was made so parents can access information, support services and other tools in one central location.

Learn more about what kind of services and classes we offer for children birth to 5.

Our Mission

To inspire our community to give, advocate and volunteer by identifying needs and mobilizing vetted resources to create positive, local change.

Our Vision

To unite our community and empower everyone to achieve their full potential.

Contact Us

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PO Box 1357,
Highland City, FL 33846

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863.648.1500

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5605 US Highway 98 S.
Lakeland, FL 33812

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