Early Care Center (ECC) License #580300082
(941) 366-9522
Our Mission Statement
We believe that the Early Care Center of First United Methodist Church is summoned by God to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by ministering to young children and their families by providing a quality educational program which promotes developmentally appropriate growth: spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively.
About the Early Care Center
The Early Care Center is open Monday – Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm
First United Methodist Church has responded to the need in our community for safe, dependable day care by offering its facilities and enrichment experiences for young children in a Christian environment. The center is open to children of all races and creeds. Presently, Early Care Center serves families with children ages 6 weeks through 5 years of age.
Early Care Center is a year-round program. We offer full-time care for Infants – 5 year olds and offer Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (August-May).
CLICK HERE for our 2025-2026 brochure.
We are accredited by the Christian Preschool Association (CPA). This association has strict guidelines for our Christian curriculum as well as standards for environment and staff/child interaction. All preschool and VPK classes attend a worship service once a week and a week of Vacation Bible School in the summer. As a +5 STAR quality rated school by the Look for the STARS program, we have achieved professional and public recognition as providers of high quality care and education of young children. Early Care received the 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Finalist Readers’ Choice Award for the Best Preschool from the Sarasota-Herald Tribune.
Programs
Infant & Toddler Programs
The ECC infant program is designed to support each child’s needs. The “open door” policy allows parents total access to their child. The infants are cared for by a team approach with parents and staff working together for the benefit of each child and his/her family.
Our program recognizes the importance of the premise that “Parents are the child’s first teachers.” We practice the “Safe Sleep” program, recommending that placing infants on their backs to sleep is the safest way for them to sleep until they are physically capable of rolling over by themselves.
Our toddler curriculum includes activities to meet the individual child’s needs.
The children are slowly introduced to this curriculum philosophy as they begin to explore their world. The Learning Center approach to educating young children is introduced in the Puppy Room. Developmentally appropriate activities are planned to encourage independence and self-esteem.
2025-2026 Rates
6 weeks – 18 months: $275/week
18 months – 30 months: $270/week
***All programs are subject to a registration fee of $400***
Preschool Program
Our goal is to offer a warm and loving environment in which each child can grow at his or her own pace. The program is designed to provide for the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth of the young child. By giving children the opportunity to participate in activities that are developmentally appropriate for them, they can grow to become unique individuals. We encourage each child to develop a good self-concept with the belief that he or she is special. We strive to support the individual child and help him or her to cooperate with others, solve problems, and learn to make choices with regards to his or her environment.
We offer extra programs such gymnastics. Kristi Mezick, our gross-motor coach, visits the school weekly to provide gymnastic instruction to all of our preschool and VPK students. This extra-curricular activity is included in the tuition.
2025 – 2026 Rates:
2 years – 3.5 years: $250/week
3.5 years – 4.5 years: $245/week
***All programs are subject to a registration fee of $400***
First United Methodist Church has responded to the need in our community for a quality VPK Program by offering its facilities and enrichment experiences to children in a Christian environment. Early Care Center is open to children of all races and creeds.
It is the goal of the VPK program to focus on those skills needed for a child to make a smooth transition into kindergarten. VPK
- Provides a safe and healthy environment.
- Is staffed with loving, qualified teachers.
- Encourages early literacy and creative expression.
- Provides new learning experiences.
- Provides social opportunities.
- Encourages self-esteem with positive reinforcements.
4 – 5 years: (child must be 4 by September 1)
2025 – 2026 Rates:
Full Time:
$245/week FT
$190/week FT/Wrap Care (with VPK voucher when VPK in session)
3 Hour Only: (9 – 12)
FREE (with VPK voucher during school year only)
***All programs are subject to a registration fee of $400***
Click here for more information about VPK or how to receive a voucher from The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota.
More Information:
Employment Opportunities
Interested in making a difference in the life of a child? Consider a career in early childhood education at Early Care Center!
CLICK HERE for an application.
Contact ECC
Phone: (941) 366-9522
Address:
104 S. Pineapple AveSarasota, FL 34236
License #580300082
or complete form below: