Last verified: October 2026
What is School Readiness child care assistance in Orange County?
School Readiness is the Florida subsidy that covers part of child-care costs for qualifying parents who work or study, and the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County runs it locally.
It fills the gaps the K-12 scholarships leave: younger siblings, before-school care and aftercare. The same hours cannot be billed to both School Readiness and a scholarship.
How do I find a School Readiness provider near an Orlando private school?
Start by asking the school's front office whether it takes part, since the program pays the provider directly and each center chooses whether to enroll.
When the school does not, the coalition's referral service can name nearby participating centers.
School Readiness vs VPK
The table puts the two sides next to each other.
| School Readiness | VPK | |
|---|---|---|
| Income test | Yes, household income limits apply | None |
| Ages | Birth through school age | Four-year-olds |
| Pays for | A share of child-care hours | The VPK instructional hours |
| Cost to family | A sliding co-payment | Free |