Easterseals Northeast Central Florida is enrolling eligible children for its free voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) at its Child Development Centers in Daytona Beach (1219 Dunn Ave.) and DeLand (306 Wisconsin Ave.).

To participate in free VPK, a child must be four years old on or before Sept. 1, 2019, be a resident of Volusia County and have a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the Early Learning Coalition. As part of the program, children enrolled in free VPK receive breakfast.

Easterseals’ Child Development Centers provide exceptional student education programs for eligible Volusia County students, including a VPK program, a pre-school that accepts children ages 12 months and older, and charter-school classes. Easterseals’ VPK program offers hands-on and comprehensive education for Pre-K students ages 3-5 with special needs and/or disabilities as defined by their Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Easterseals Child Development Centers’ inclusive classroom settings integrates its students with typically developing students of the Easterseals Child Development Center, which assists in helping all students achieve the best possible outcomes. Further, its adult-to-child ratio exceeds the state requirement, allowing for more individualized attention for each child in our care. IEPs outline specific goals and objectives for students to meet his/her own potential.

For information about COE, contact the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler/Volusia at (386) 323-2400 or elcfv.org.  For information about Easterseals Northeast Central Florida’s Child Development Center in Daytona Beach, contact CDC Program Coordinator Erica Garris for information or a tour at (386) 944-7819 or egarris@esnecfl.org. For more details about the DeLand location, contact Assistant Principal Christina Hopkins at 386-734-4124 or chopkins@esnecfl.org. For information about how Easterseals is taking on disability in our communities, visit www.eastersealsnecfl.org. 

Jasyln (Jas) Clemmons spends her weekdays caring for youngsters at Easterseals Charter School in Daytona Beach. Her classroom of spunky two-year-olds keep her on her toes, and she loves it.

Jas joined Easterseals as a floater/substitute in the Child Development Center in 2008. Her responsibilities include overseeing and implementing developmentally appropriate classroom activities, while ensuring a safe environment for the little ones. She’s focused on creating experiences at Easterseals that help children thrive.

Day to day, the activities in Jas’ classroom help the children reach key developmental milestones. Jas and her team focus on many skills such as potty training, gross motor development, language development and building emotional, social and communication skills. 

Jas also focuses on maintaining regular communication with the children’s families as part of her role as a pre-school teacher. She understands that helping a child reach his or her potential is a group effort.

As an Easterseals team member, Jas also participates in several opportunities for trainings that help make her most effective in the classroom and as a professional outside of it. Jas loves expanding her knowledge with the trainings. 

Jas also is a key member of Easterseals’ Joey’s Gift Respite program and always is willing to help wherever and wherever she’s needed. 

All of these reflect Jas’ dedication to her classroom, her young students, their families and Easterseals, which is evidenced by her 10-year-plus commitment. 

“The first five years of a child’s development are critical,” said Jas. “I enjoy seeing each and every child grow and meet their individual goals. Our role is very important.”

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If you have a love of teaching or an interest in helping children and adults with disabilities reach their fullest potential, you may have a place at Easterseals. All current job opportunities may not be available online, so contact HR Generalist Fran DeCinto at careers@esnecfl.org  for more information. In the meantime, complete our application for employment opportunities, available here. Additionally, Easterseals has partnered with GettingHired.com, an online resource that connects people with disabilities to employers in search of qualified jobseekers with disabilities. Visit GettingHired.com to open your door to opportunity!
 
Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida serves the region with facilities in Daytona Beach, DeLand, Bunnell, and Leesburg. To learn more about Easterseals of Northeast Central Florida, please visit  www.eastersealsnecfl.org.

Do you have a preschool child who is challenged by special needs and/or disabilities? Easterseals Charter Schools may be the perfect fit for your little one. 
 
With charter schools in Daytona Beach and DeLand, Easterseals teachers provide hands-on and comprehensive education for students ages 3 to 5. The inclusive classroom setting integrates students with special needs and typically developing students of the Easterseals Child Development Center. This helps all students achieve the best possible outcomes.
 
Just take a look at Walter, a 5-year-old bundle of enthusiasm who recently graduated from the Easterseals Charter School in DeLand.
 
“Walter loves school,” noted his proud mother. “So for us it was just important that he felt safe and welcomed. The Easterseals Charter School was fun for him, and he looked forward to going every day.”
 
His teachers made sure he transitioned well and gave him whatever downtime he needed. They accommodated his schedule and kept his parents aware of any issues in the classroom.
 
“Walter’s teacher had set up his cubby with photos of Batman so he would recognize it as his own,” his mother recalled. “He waved goodbye and sent me on my way.”
 
The boy left the charter school ready to face new challenges and learn with his brother and friends at a public school in DeLand. When he entered kindergarten, much to his mother’s delight, he said hello to everyone.
 
“My son felt safe and comfortable to grow and learn at Easterseals,” Walter’s mom concluded. “I can’t ask for more from a school.”
 
Fast facts:

• 96 percent of Easterseals Charter Schools students entered kindergarten as typically developing children in the 2016-2017 school year.
• 80 percent met the goals and objectives of their individualized education plan goals.
• 100 percent made academic gains.

 
Learn more about the Easterseals Charter Schools at www.eastersealsnecfl.org.