Early Childhood Education
M.J. Steele, Director
Phone: (561) 969-5884
3300 Forest Hill Boulevard, C-143
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Purpose and Functions
Early Childhood Education designs, supports and administers the Florida VPK program in select schools by providing financial management, administrative services, and academic supports.
To support capacity building, the department offers ongoing professional development opportunities, developmentally appropriate curriculum materials, classroom furnishings and supplies, and onsite coaching. Social and emotional development is fostered through Conscious Discipline, a curriculum designed to enhance emotional intelligence in both students and teachers.
Through restricted grant funding, the department also manages the technical assistance component of the Strong Minds Network, a countywide program funded by the Children’s Services Council (CSC) to improve quality in participating community-based and public school early education classrooms. Through a Head Start contract, the department serves Head Start and Early Head Start students.
The department also collaborates with District internal partners and offers a VPK/ESE PreK Inclusion program in partnership with the Exceptional Student Education Department. The department ensures compliance with all early childhood-related contract mandates, deliverables, and audits. Supported VPK Program Models offered through braided funding include VPK/ESE PreK Inclusion, VPK/Head Start, VPK/Migrant, VPK/Title I, and VPK/Parent Fee.