Providers Resources

Child Care Resource & Referral

No decision is more important or more difficult than choosing an early care and education arrangement that best meets your family's needs.

Resource and Referral is a free service available to anyone looking for a healthy child care environment to enhance the total development of their children.

Services are available throughout Brevard County and can be accessed by phone at 321-637-1800 ext. 8573, email (info@elcbrevard.org) or in person.
 
Walk In - Locations:
Early Learning Coalition
Main Office
1018 Florida Ave.
Rockledge, FL  32955
 
Melbourne Office
2671 W. Eau Gallie Blvd. Suite 102
Melbourne, FL 32935 
Hours of Operation:
Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Services may also be available at our satellite office. Please call 321-637-1800 for more information.

Submit a referral request online.

For more information about the Child Care Resource and Referral Network and the Office of Early Learning visit their website.

For information on the nationwide Child Care Resource and Referral Network visit www.naccrra.org or www.childcareaware.org.

Note to Providers: there are no charges/fees associated with a provider listing in the Resource & Referral Database or for referrals to your program. If you are asked to provide a payment for a referral or listing in the Resource & Referral database, please call the Agency for Workforce Innovation-Office of Early Learning Resource & Referral Network at 1-866-357-3239. The information reported about a provider's program is objective program information that is based on standards that are attainable for providers based on their type of care.
Licensed Child Care Center
Children are cared for in a non-residential setting for all or part of the day. The facility is inspected by the Brevard County Child Care Licensing Agency and all personnel are required to complete 40 hours of child care training. To become licensed, the center must meet minimum State standards regarding number of personnel, sanitation, safety, and nutritional practices.

License Exempt Child Care Center
Child care providers with a religious or private school affiliation are exempt from licensing requirements but still may care for children in a non-residential, group setting for all or part of the day.
 
Licensed Family Child Care Home
The requirements for a licensed family child care home are the same as for a registered home and the home is inspected by the Brevard County Child Care Licensing Agency. A Large Family Child Care Home requires 2 caregivers and may care for 12 children.

School-Age Care
Care for school-age children is available in some of the above mentioned options for before and after school, as well as school holidays and summers. Many children attend before and after school programs at their local school.

If you have any questions concerning the status of an early care and education center or that of a family child care home, or you would like to review the files of the providers, please call your local licensing office:

Brevard County Child Care Licensing
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Building A, Room 116
Viera, FL 32940
Phone: (321) 633-2100

For more information on licensing information and to search child care provider licensing reports visit www.myflorida.com/childcare.
Provider Resources
Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services - A resource for:
  • Families with children who have disabilities and / or special health care needs
  • Early care and education providers needing information, consultation services and / or technical assistance in serving all children
For information on services for children with special needs call 1-800-654-4440 or visit http://www.centraldirectory.org/.

Inclusion Warm Line
Provides information for child care providers regarding children with disabilities and special health care needs. The Inclusion Coordinator can be reached at (321) 637-1800 ext. 2516.

Florida Relay Services
Florida Relay is the communication link for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or speech impaired. Through the Florida Relay, people who use specialized equipment can communicate with people who use standard phone equipment.

To call Florida Relay, dial 711 or use the following toll free numbers:
 
1-800-955-8771 (TTY)
1-800-955-8770 (Voice)
1-800-955-1339 (ASCII)
1-877-955-8260 (VCO-Direct)
1-800-955-5334 (STS)
1-877-955-8773 (Spanish)
1-877-955-8707 (Creole)
 
 
Simplified Point Of Entry Information
To find out what programs are available to you, visit the Office of Early Learning site to fill out a Simplified Point of Entry application online.
 
If you have any questions regarding eligibility and the Simplified Point of Entry process, please contact the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County at (321) 637-1800.
 
Provider / Community Resources
More than 1 million children are victims of child abuse and neglect each year, according to state child protective service agencies. Many victims don't receive help because they are not reported to the system. These abused and neglected children span all ages, races, religions and socio-economic backgrounds. Child maltreatment includes actions that result in imminent risk of serious harm, death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation of a child under age 18 by a parent or caretaker.
 
When parents can't, don't or won't protect their children, the Department of Children & Families steps in to help, providing a full spectrum of services, from parenting classes and respite care to transportation and child care. The goal of the department is to keep children safe in their own families when possible.
 
Abuse Registry
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/ or call 1-800-96-abuse.