About The Village
A Foundation of Excellence
“It Takes a Village To Raise a Child”
The Village Early Learning Center is Reggio-Emilia inspired, NAEYC accredited school for young learners located at 3741 Canoga Park Drive in Brandon, Florida. The purpose-built early learning center was completed in 2000. The campus consists of two buildings, numerous age-appropriate playgrounds, beautiful gardens and outdoor classrooms, a dedicated art room with a professional art teacher, state-of-the-art security, and the finest professional teaching team in the area!
Our NAEYC accreditation, community and family involvement, and low student-to-teacher ratios are just a few reasons families choose us . Schedule a tour to see how your family can become a part of ours!
Guided by the principles established by our accrediting agency, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach to early childhood education, The Village Early Learning Center partners with families, children, and the greater Brandon community to provide a developmentally appropriate play-based curriculum and high quality, comprehensive, early learning experience for our students. Our mission is to facilitate development in our young students by meeting their physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and creative needs through nurturing co-learning experiences and uniting with parents.
The Village Early Learning Center is the place children experience positively as their “second family” with feelings of warmth, love, respect, and acceptance evident in all we say and do. Our team members value caring interactions and mutual respect for themselves, the children, and our families. Our team members are valued for their passion, their knowledge, and their commitment to quality. Parents and caregivers are valued and supported as their child’s first teacher and as critical partners in the well-being of their child. Our presence in the community encourages all parents with young children to seek quality early education and other schools to strive to meet or exceed our example.
Our lobby features a biometric fingerprint recognition system for secure access to the building. Students are checked in and out by their parents using a touch-free app and unique code. High-definition video cameras monitor all areas of the classrooms as well as outdoor spaces. The video is recorded and reviewed for your child’s safety as well as staff training. Every classroom has windows along the hallway so that activities can be monitored unobtrusively simply by walking through the building. Teachers and administrators do not release children to non-authorized adults, and visitors are not allowed inside the school unless accompanied by an administrator.
Village students consistently earn the highest VPK scores in the greater Brandon area for large schools. We have low student-to-teacher ratios and a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate curriculum that recognizes the multiple ways children learn. From the infant classroom through the school-age program, we focus on a child’s growth in the areas of cognition, social and emotional skills, behavioral competence, creativity, and physical abilities. In our classrooms, as well as outdoors, the environment is seen as “the third teacher,” a concept that is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach to early childhood education.
Well balanced and thoughtful nutrition is a large part of our program. Students enjoy healthy meals and snacks with high quality fresh fruits and vegetables served daily. Our allergy-friendly, nut-free school uses whole grain breads, pastas, and crackers. Snacks are low in sugar and fat. We do not add salt or butter to any foods and we use lower-fat meats, such as turkey. We are able to accommodate children with allergies as well as those with lifestyle or cultural dietary choices such as vegetarianism or not eating pork.
Our outdoor spaces are shaded and divided by fencing for multiple age groups and activities. Playgrounds for the youngest learners feature synthetic grass, which reduces insects and heat buildup, keeps mulch out of clothing and shoes, and cushions falls. Playgrounds are inspected daily, and all teachers complete a playground safety course. Also prominent on the campus are outdoor classrooms, raised garden beds, butterfly gardens, and an outdoor art studio.
Cultural diversity is actively studied and celebrated in our classrooms and through our many community outreach events, such as the annual International Festival, which is usually held on the first Saturday in April.
FAQs
Licensing and Accreditation
The Village ELC is licensed by Hillsborough County, license #CHC 430446, and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (naeyc.org). NAEYC has the most stringent standards in the nation for early childhood education.
Hours of Operation
The Village is open year-round from 6:30am - 6:30pm, Monday through Friday. The Village ELC is closed on the following holidays: Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day, and Independence Day.
Schedule Options
We offer a choice of 3 or 5 days per week.
Financial Assistance
Common vouchers and subsidies that we accept are the VPK Certificate of Eligibility (VPK) and Childcare Aware of America (CCAoA). We do not accept the School Readiness subsidy at this time.
Tuition Rates
We look forward to answering your questions about tuition rates when you come to tour. Tuition rates are based on the child's age and schedule desired.
Discounts
We offer discounts to active duty military families, educators and administrators employed by Hillsborough County Public Schools, and sibling discounts.
Nutrition
We offer two healthy snacks during the day and a nutritious lunch at no extra charge. We are a nut-free school and are able to accommodate many allergies and food restrictions. We look forward to answering your questions about this when you come to tour.
Enrollment and Wait List
The first step for enrollment is to schedule a tour. If an immediate opening is not available, you can place a non-refundable deposit of $100 to hold your child's position on the waiting list. Don’t wait…our classrooms fill quickly!
Vaccinations
Upon enrollment, families of children up to six years old are required to submit a current immunization record (DH 680) and physical form (DH 3040) that has been completed by a licensed health professional.
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Contact Us
The Village Early Learning Center
3741 Canoga Park Dr
Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: (813) 923-2394
Fax: (813) 643-5926