Quality Initiatives
Infant/Toddler Program
The Infant/Toddler Program is a quality initiative of the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas, Inc. The program has been in place since 1999 and is staffed by a full-time Infant/Toddler Specialist.
Recognizing the importance of the first three years of life, the Infant/Toddler program is committed to enhancing the professional development of infant and toddler teachers and improving the quality of care in infant and toddler programs.
Currently, the Infant/Toddler program currently offers the Beyond Cribs & Rattles curriculum training series twice per year to family child care and center based infant and toddler teachers. The Infant/Toddler Specialist and Provider Consultant visit participants to provide individualized on-site technical assistance, coaching and mentoring. Additional trainings in the areas of Social and Emotional Development and Emergent Literacy are offered to teachers who participate in the Beyond Cribs & Rattles training.
The Infant/Toddler staff is available by phone or on site for individualized consultation to address concerns or questions providers may have regarding the care of infants and toddlers. Some topics they can assist with are how infants and toddlers learn, developing language skills, guidance and discipline, working with families, understanding cultural differences, room arrangement, setting up the environment, appropriate learning activities, health and safety concerns and more.
The Mary K. Bennett Infant/Toddler lending library includes a wide variety age appropriate materials such as toys, puzzles, children's books, music, resource books for teachers, etc.
For more information about the Infant/Toddler Professional Development or to discuss questions/concerns you may have about the infants and/or toddlers in your care please call or email:
Infant/Toddler Specialist:
Angela Loring (727)548-1439
aloring@elcpinellas.net
Now Open: Infant Toddler Lending Library and Resource Room
The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County is proud to announce the Mary K. Bennett Infant Toddler Lending Library and Resource Room is now open to serve School Readiness providers.
The Infant Toddler Lending Library gives child care providers the opportunity to borrow educational items for up to two months in order to enhance the quality of their early educational programs. The library features over 1,500 unique items such as children's books, educational toys, and musical instruments focused on infants, toddlers and two year olds. The resource room is equipped with a laminator, book binder, die cut machine and resource books for child care providers.
The Coalition offers this free service to all School Readiness providers in Pinellas County. The lending library and resource room is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the ELC Office in Clearwater. See below for a list of extended hours:
- March 10 (Saturday)
10:00 - 1:00 p.m. - March 12 (Monday)
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - March 28 (Wednesday)
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - April 2 (Monday)
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - April 14 (Saturday)
10:00 - 1:00 p.m. - April 24 (Tuesday)
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - May 10 (Thursday)
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - May 19 (Saturday)
10:00 - 1:00 p.m. - May 21 (Monday)
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - June 6 (Wednesday)
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - June 16 (Saturday)
10:00 - 1:00 p.m. - June 25 (Monday)
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Sponsorship by
Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County, Inc.,
State of Florida, Agency for Workforce Innovation
100% Federal Funds
Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County, Inc.
Phone: (727) 548-1439 • Fax (727) 548-1509