FAQs

Children First serves those in the highest poverty levels throughout Sarasota County, with nearly 90% of enrolled families being below the poverty line. To participate in the program, families must submit an application, as those with the highest need have first priority. A selection committee comprised of parents, community partners, and Head Start staff carefully reviews applicants to determine enrollment.

The cost for care is dependent on the family’s income level, need, and other factors. Some families pay nothing, while others pay a discounted rate.

Up to ten percent of the children who are enrolled in Children First may be from families that exceed the low-income guidelines. These children may meet other criteria, such as a diagnosed disability.

Dedicated Children First Family Advocates partner with each family to support their journey toward independence and self-reliance. These advocates conduct at least two home visits for each family during the program year. Within the initial 60 days of service commencement, every family completes a comprehensive Family Assessment, serving as a yardstick to gauge their progress through the program year.

Utilizing insights gathered from the assessment, a Family Partnership Agreement is crafted, outlining the family’s short and long-term goals. The Family Advocate remains engaged throughout the year, providing continuous follow-up to track progress towards these goals.

While transportation is not available for individual children, all child care centers are located in areas that are accessible by foot or via public transit.

Yes! We invite all families to submit applications, and offer informational classes for families beyond the traditional family unit.

Early Head Start is educational child care catering to children under the age of three. At Children First, our preferred approach commences with expectant mothers, where a skilled Family Advocate supports them with essential prenatal care and readiness for parenthood. Head Start, on the other hand, focuses on children aged three to five, ensuring their preparedness to enter kindergarten on par with their peers.

Qualifications for teaching vary, depending on the teaching role – Teacher Assistant, Teacher, VPK (Volunteer Pre-Kindergarten) Teacher, etc. Positions may require Bachelor or Associates degrees in Early Childhood Education plus State of Florida training, a Florida Child Care Professional Certificate, or other certifications. And, of course, anyone interested in joining our teaching staff should have a passion for molding young lives! For current openings, visit our Employment page. For specific details on position requirements, call our Human Resources Department at 941-953-3877.

YES! We welcome volunteers and have a variety of opportunities, for groups and individuals, ranging from rocking babies or reading to children in the classroom to helping in the administrative offices to landscaping and playground updating. We are always in need of bilingual classroom volunteers to work with children that have English as a second language. Languages in demand: Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Portuguese, Arabic, Creole and others. We also need volunteers to mentor parents through our award-winning Families First Institute. Check out our Volunteer link for more details.

At Children First, we focus on efficiency and effectiveness. Administrative and fundraising costs are kept low in order to provide as many children and families with the high quality early childhood education and supportive services they need. This includes safe, comfortable spaces for children, parents and staff. We are committed to being responsible with funds and transparent in our operations, which is evident from the Candid Platinum rating we hold.