About Us
Officially, we are The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties, Inc. We know that’s a mouthful, so we call ourselves ELCFV. We are a nonprofit organization in charge of handling both the School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs in our two counties. In general, we are the hub for all things early learning and development.
What do we do?
Through various programs, we break down barriers to quality early care. In addition to providing funding for child care, we work with child care professionals to help them improve their programs.
Why do we do it?
We believe in investing smartly in our community’s future. By providing quality early learning opportunities for children, we can prepare them for school and life. More than 80% of the connections in a child’s brain are made by age three.
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds tend to struggle more in school because of the extra barriers they experience. Focusing our investment in these children is proven to yield a 13% return on investment for our community. All Flagler and Volusia County children deserve the best future we can offer them.
ELCFV Values
Our values are important to us. They represent why we exist and the vision we have for Flagler and Volusia counties.
Assume Positive Intent
We are not here to judge. We believe people are good and they are always trying to do what’s best for their family. When we assume people have the best intentions, we are better able to listen to and address their needs.
Deliver Excellent Customer Service
It doesn’t cost anything to be kind. And we are here to help. Our staff are trained to listen and respond to the needs of our families, and we do so with empathy and compassion.
Be Effective
We do our best to use the resources we have in the most impactful way we can for our families and the community. We regularly revisit our processes to make sure we are not wasting our families’ time.
Embrace Your Fun
Early childhood development is serious stuff, but we don’t have to be!
Choose Responsibility
For ELCFV, choosing responsibility means taking ownership of the issue at hand, regardless of whose “fault” it is. Our staff are here to help children and families through difficult times, providing support in any way we can. We strive to be the change we want to see in the world.
Find the Solution that Best Helps the Child
At the end of the day, what’s best for each child is what is best for our community. By dedicating our time and effort to finding the solution that is best for the child, we ensure the best outcomes for children in Flagler and Volusia counties.
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
Change starts from within; we are committed to valuing our diverse community with respect and sensitivity to age, race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, and ability.
We celebrate differences and welcome individuality. Through culturally sensitive and inclusive practices we are better able to work with families, providers, and children, as well as maintain a safe workplace for our team members.
Education is key, which is why we will continue to learn, grow, and implement equitable practices. We are all unique and for us to provide our best selves to our families, staff, and community, we are dedicated to maintaining an environment that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.