One thing you may come across when researching early learning programs and scholarships are acronyms. In this field, an acronym exists for almost everything, and it can truly boggle the mind. At least, it did for me! Let us make your life a bit easier by freeing some space in your brain and defining the most commonly used acronyms in early learning:

• CCR&R- Child Care Resource and Referral
• A free service that helps families identify and select quality early learning programs. 

• DCF- Department of Children and Families
• A state agency of Florida that provides social services to children, adults, and child care providers.

• DEL- The Division of Early Learning
• Part of the Florida Department of Education, DEL supports children, families, and child care providers by partnering with 30 early learning coalitions and Redlands Christian Migrant Association to deliver three programs: School Readiness, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), and Child Care Resource and Referral. 

• DOE- Department of Education 
• The DOE works with parents, teachers, educators, and community members to improve Florida’s education system for students of backgrounds and abilities. 

• EHS- Early Head Start
• A program that provides early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income infants and toddlers and their families.

• SR- School Readiness
• A program that helps eligible working parents with the cost of child care (frequently called a child care subsidy). 

• VPK- Voluntary Prekindergarten
• A free early learning program for 4 and 5-year-olds who live in the state of Florida. 

There are plenty more- honestly, we could go on all day- but these are ones you will come across more often. Have any to add? Let us know!