Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Inc.

VPK Provider Orientation
2025-04-08 09:30 - 23:30, 2025-04-10 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
A director, owner, or contract designee from each VPK contracted provider must attend an annual VPK Orientation. The Orientation provides a review of the Florida VPK contract requirements. Child care providers wishing to contract with the Coalition will learn the basic functions of VPK applications, attendance tracking and submission, working within numerous online systems, and general requirements.

CPR/First Aid for Early Childhood Educators
2025-04-12 09:00 - 13:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, 2300 SW 17th Road, Ocala, FL, 34471, United States
In-Person course for early childhood educators.
American Heart Savers CPR & First Aid
AED is a course that teaches early childhood educators critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives.
This course provides a two-year certificate approved for use in childcare facilities.
Core Knowledge Area (CKA) 1: Health, Safety & Nutrition
4 hours, No CEUs

MONTHLY PROVIDER MEETING - VIRTUAL
2025-04-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-18 13:00 - 14:00
The agenda and meeting link will be emailed to our providers prior to all monthly meetings.
Questions? Need to update your provider email Interested in becoming a provider? Please contact Quality@elc-marion.org or call 352-369-2315 Ext. 101 for the Quality Department.

School Readiness Provider Orientation
2025-05-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
A director, owner, or contract designee from each School Readiness contracted provider must attend an annual School Readiness Orientation. The Orientation provides a review of the Florida School Readiness contract requirements. Child care providers wishing to contract with the Coalition will learn the basic functions of attendance tracking and submission, working within numerous online systems, and general requirements.

VPK Provider Performance Metric and Designations
2025-05-12 12:00 - 14:00 | VIRTUAL
Beginning with the 2024-25 VPK program year, each VPK provider will receive a performance metric and performance designation based on three components: Program Quality, Student achievement and Student learning gains. This Metric will determine the program’s ability to contract for VPK.
This overview session with Ana Gonzalez will provide a description of the procedures that will be used to determine the VPK provider performance metric and designation for VPK providers as set forth in Rule 6M-8.622, F.A.C.
Register at https://www.elc-marion.org/professional-development/

CPR/First Aid for Early Childhood Educators
2025-05-17 09:00 - 13:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
In-Person course for early childhood educators
American Heart Savers CPR & First Aid
AED is a course that teaches early childhood educators critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives.
This course provides a two-year certificate approved for use in childcare facilities.
Core Knowledge Area (CKA) 1: Health, Safety & Nutrition
4 hours, No CEUs

MONTHLY PROVIDER MEETING - VIRTUAL
2025-05-21 13:00 - 14:00 | VIRTUAL

CLASS® Infant Observer Training
2025-05-28 08:00 - 17:00 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Training for child care directors and assistant directors interested in becoming certified CLASS® Infant Observers. Participants will:

understand how to use the infant CLASS® tool to effectively measure interactions
practice observing and scoring classroom interactions
receive exclusive access to resources and supports to help earn and maintain certification.

This is the first of a three-day training. A commitment to attend May 28 – May 30 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. is required to earn all CEUs and receive a certificate of completion. There will be a one-hour break for lunch (not provided). Vending machines are available.
Seating is limited. Register at https://www.elc-marion.org/professional-development/

Provider Appreciation Sneaker Ball
2025-06-06 17:30 - 21:30 | Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala, FL, 34475, United States
Honoring “The Unsung Heroes,” the Provider Appreciation Sneaker Ball is a free event for contracted School Readiness (SR) and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) child care providers. The evening includes keynote speaker Albert Wright, dinner, door prizes, awards, dancing.
Seating is limited. Eligible providers can Click Here to reserve a free ticket.
Sponsored by

Provider Training: Motivating Children with Difficult Behaviors
2025-06-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Albert Wright will show teachers practical ways to diffuse difficult behaviors, including biting, and prevent them from happening in the future.

CPR/First Aid for Contracted Early Childhood Educators
2025-07-26 09:00 - 13:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
THIS COURSE IS FOR CONTRACTED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS ONLY.
In-Person
American Heart Savers CPR & First Aid
AED is a course that teaches early childhood educators critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives.
This course provides a two-year certificate approved for use in childcare facilities.
Core Knowledge Area (CKA) 1: Health, Safety & Nutrition
4 hours, No CEUs

CPR/First Aid
2025-09-06 09:00 - 13:00 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
In-Person
American Heart Savers CPR & First Aid
AED is a course that teaches students critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives. This course provides a two-year certificate approved for use in childcare facilities.
Core Knowledge Area (CKA) 1: Health, Safety & Nutrition
4 hours, No CEUs

Provider Meeting
2026-01-15 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-15 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-02-19 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-19 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-03-12 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-12 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-16 09:00 - 11:00 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
All meetings are in person and are recorded for those who are unable to attend.
Recorded meetings are saved to the ELCMC YouTube Channel here: Early Learning Coalition of Marion County – YouTube
2 Hours of In-Service Training will be awarded to in-person attendees only.
Attendance is counted for those who arrive within 15 minutes of the start time and who remain until the end of the meeting. Certificates are given as attendees exit.
Both meetings contain the same information and are repeated to allow providers to attend at their convenience.

CPR and First Aid - For Early Childhood Educators Only
2026-01-17 09:00 - 13:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Cost: $10.00
Note: Cost will increase to $20.00 in February
Furtherance Safety Associates CPR & First Aid/AED teaches the critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrive. This course provides a two-year certificate approved for use in childcare facilities. Registration starts at 8:45 a.m. and class starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. No refunds for any cancellations. Credit available with notice – see confirmation for details.

Flip It: Educators Learn They Can Transform Challenging Behavior
2026-02-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
In uncertain times, children often express stress through challenging behavior, leaving educators unsure how to respond.
FLIP IT Instead of Flipping Out: Educators Can Transform Challenging Behavior by using four simple, effective steps that turn difficult moments into learning opportunities.
We can help children understand their feelings and build self-control using the mnemonic: F-Feelings, L-Limits, I-Inquiries, P-Prompts. This kind, practical approach strengthens relationships with children ages 3–8.

Please email Training@elc-marion.org for any questions.

CPR/First Aid
2026-03-14 09:00 - 13:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Class Description – Furtherance Safety Associates CPR & First Aid/AED is a course that teaches students critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives. This course provides a 2-year certificate approved for use in childcare facilities. Registration starts at 8:45 a.m. & class starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. No refunds for any cancellations. Credit available with notice – see confirmation details.
Instructor – Nelson Green
Cost – $20.00
CEU’s – .4 CEU’s

Rethinking Behavior for Young Children: Ages Toddlers - 8 Years
2026-03-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Come join us and leave with the following:

Knowing – Strategies for effectively managing the classroom
Understanding – That behavior management is essential for creating a positive early childhood learning environment
Doing – Participate in a variety of activities that encourage structure, positive reinforcement, and behavior

Training Dates: March 24 and March 26, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Instructor: FDLRS
Cost: Free
CEU’s: 3 in-service hours
*You must attend both sessions to receive credit.

CF Early Childhood Conference Keynote: Gerry Brooks
2026-03-28 07:15 - 16:00 | College of Central Florida Ewers Century Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
Class Description: Join us for the 37th Annual Early Childhood Conference to be held at the Ocala Campus Ewers Century Center on March 28, from 7:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The conference workshops provide information on best practices and techniques to engage and nurture children.
Cost: Early Bird Registration: $50. Payments must be received no later than March 12, 2026. Registration/payments received after March 12 and onsite: $70
CEU’s: 0.8 CEU’s

VPK Orientation
2026-04-07 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Please limit attendance to Directors/Owners or contract designees only.
VPK Orientation will offer an overview of the functions required to perform within the contract requirements of the VPK program. Childcare providers wishing to contract with ELCMC will learn the basic functions of attendance tracking and submission, working within numerous online systems, and general requirements outlined in the VPK contact. Participants will receive two in-service training hours for attendance.
Attendance is mandatory in order for the VPK contract to be initiated.

FLIP IT: Parents Learn They Can Transform Challenging Behavior
2026-04-07 10:00 - 11:30
Class Description: The FLIP IT strategy is an effective four-step process for addressing challenging moments with young children, and it can now be used to address additional challenges you experience with yourself and with other adults. The four steps are embodied in the FLIP mnemonic, which stands for F-Feelings, L-Limits, I-Inquiries, and P-Prompts. No matter what kind of challenge you are facing, these four supportive steps can help you identify underlying feelings, establish healthy limits, explore alternate solutions, and gain healthy coping skills. For parents with children ages 3 – 8 years.
Instructor: FDLRS
Cost: Free
CEU’s: 1.5 in-service hours
Location: Virtual

CPR/First Aid
2026-04-11 09:00 - 13:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Class Description: Furtherance Safety Associates CPR & First Aid /AED is a course that teaches students critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives. This course provides a 2-year certificate approved for use in childcare facilities. Registration starts at 8:45 am & class starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. No refunds for any cancellations. Credit available with notice-see confirmation details.
Location: ELCMC – 2300 SW 17th Road, Ocala, FL 34471
Instructor: Nelson Greene
Cost: $20.00
CEU’s: .4 CEU’s
