Childcare Resources

Reliable childcare can determine whether a parent or caregiver can accept and keep a job.

This page helps Jacksonville and Duval County families identify childcare resources that may fit work, school, training, and commuting schedules.

Start with the Early Learning Coalition of Duval

ELC of Duval currently provides childcare referrals, School Readiness subsidy information, Head Start resources, and lists of providers, including programs accepting School Readiness certificates. Its School Readiness program is intended to help eligible families pay for childcare while they work or attend school.  The Early Learning Coalition of Duval can help families identify childcare and early-learning providers based on factors such as:

  • Child’s age
  • Location
  • Care schedule
  • Program type
  • School Readiness participation
  • VPK availability
  • Head Start or Early Head Start eligibility

Contact the coalition directly for current provider information and referral assistance.

Get help paying for childcare

School Readiness Program

Florida’s School Readiness program may help eligible families pay part of the cost of childcare so a parent or caregiver can work, attend school, or participate in qualifying training.

Families may still be responsible for a parent fee based on income, household size, and other factors.

Eligibility, waitlists, documentation, and funding availability apply.

Voluntary Prekindergarten

Florida VPK is a free educational program for eligible four-year-old children.

VPK hours may not cover a full workday, so families should ask whether the provider offers:

  • Before-care
  • After-care
  • Wraparound childcare
  • Summer care
  • Transportation

Head Start and Early Head Start

Eligible families may qualify for free or reduced-cost early-learning services through Head Start or Early Head Start.

Program hours and enrollment availability vary.

Childcare that may support work schedules

When reviewing providers, ask for the exact operating schedule rather than relying only on a general closing time.

Important details include:

  • Earliest drop-off time
  • Latest pickup time
  • Full-day or part-day care
  • After-school care
  • School pickup or transportation
  • Evening care
  • Weekend care
  • Holiday and school-closure coverage
  • Ages served
  • Registration fees
  • Weekly tuition
  • School Readiness acceptance
  • Current openings or waitlists

Providers open until at least 5:00p.m.

Dignafied may list providers after confirming:

  • Current operating hours
  • Ages served
  • Whether after-school care is offered
  • Whether School Readiness certificates are accepted
  • Whether transportation or school pickup is available
  • Date last verified

Providers until at least 6:00p.m.

Closing at 6:00 p.m. may be helpful for standard daytime work, but families should still calculate:

Work end time + commute time + pickup buffer

A provider that closes at 6:00 p.m. may not work for a shift ending at 5:30 p.m. across town.

After-school care

Potential options may include:

  • Licensed childcare centers
  • School-based extended-day programs
  • YMCA programs
  • Boys & Girls Clubs
  • Community centers
  • Faith-based programs
  • Private after-school providers

Confirm:

  • School pickup
  • Dismissal-day coverage
  • Teacher workdays
  • Holiday hours
  • Summer availability
  • Latest pickup time

Evening, overnight, and weekend childcare

Nontraditional-hour care is less common and should be verified directly.

Families should confirm:

  • Exact evening or overnight hours
  • Whether care is licensed
  • Age limits
  • Weekend schedules
  • Minimum booking requirements
  • Transportation
  • Background-screening and safety policies
  • Subsidy acceptance

Summer and school break care

The Early Learning Coalition of Duval and local providers may publish seasonal lists for:

  • Summer camps
  • Summer VPK
  • School Readiness providers
  • Programs for school-age children
  • Community playgroups

Seasonal programs may fill quickly.

Questions to ask before relying on a provider

  • Is there a current opening for my child’s age?
  • What are the exact drop-off and pickup hours?
  • Are late-pickup fees charged?
  • Is the schedule guaranteed or subject to change?
  • Do you accept School Readiness?
  • Is there a registration or supply fee?
  • Do you provide meals?
  • Do you pick up from my child’s school?
  • What happens on teacher workdays and school holidays?
  • How much notice is required to withdraw?
  • Is there a waitlist?

Important Information

Hours, tuition, openings, transportation, age limits, licensing status, and subsidy participation may change.

Dignafied does not license childcare providers, inspect facilities, guarantee openings, or determine subsidy eligibility. Families should verify provider licensing, safety information, costs, hours, and availability directly before enrolling.

Suggest a childcare resource

Childcare providers and families may contact Dignafied to:

  • Suggest a provider
  • Correct hours or contact information
  • Report a broken link
  • Confirm School Readiness participation
  • Share evening, weekend, or after-school availability

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