Toll Free: (800) 768-8316
Phone: (850) 872-7550
Panama City, Florida
Early Education and Care, Inc. - Panama City, Florida
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Child Care Resource & Referral

Education
Early Education and Care, Inc. is part of the statewide Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Network which is funded through the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and AWI/Office of Early Learning. The CCR&R Network maintains the only comprehensive statewide database of child care, school readiness and school age programs.

Child Care Resource & Referral is a FREE service to the community and offers information and referral services to all families who are:

  • Seeking quality early learning programs
  • Seeking school-age programs and/or summer programs
  • Looking for work/family solutions
  • Interested in Voluntary Prekindergarten
  • Needing assistance finding additional community resources


  • Early Education and Care, Inc. provides families with computer generated listings of legally operated programs (see below for types), which meet the needs of both parent and child. We match programs with family needs and give detailed information about individual programs in the form of referrals to use to contact and visit program sites. We do not license, endorse, or recommend any particular program or type of program. It is suggested that parents visit several programs to determine which one best serves the needs of their family.

    Early Education and Care, Inc. also provides families the tools they need on finding and maintaining quality, affordable and accessible programs. See Quality Indicators below for more information.

    Contact Information/Hours of Operation

    For Bay County:

    Early Education and Care, Inc.
    450 Jenks Avenue
    Panama City, FL 32401
    (850) 872-7550 or (800) 768-8316

    Monday thru Friday
    7:00AM-5:00PM
    Appointments made upon request thru 6:00PM

    For Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties, please contact:

    The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida
    200 Forest Park Circle
    Panama City, FL 32405
    (850) 747-5400 or (866) 269-3022

    Types of Programs

    For more detailed information on the following types of programs and regulations, please call the number listed above.

  • Child Care Centers (licensed or exempt)
  • Family Child Care Homes (licensed or registered)
  • Voluntary Prekindergarten
  • School-Age Child Care (licensed or exempt)
  • Head Start
  • Early Head Start
  • Faith-Based Programs


  • Quality Indicators and What to Look For:

    Early Education and Care, Inc. provides families with information and checklists to use for visiting programs and determining if they provide quality care. Some indicators of quality care may be:

  • Children look happy in the program
  • Teachers interact with the children on their eye-level and listen, talk and play with them
  • Activities are well planned, such as music, painting and dress-up play
  • Facility seems cheerful, clean and safe with equipment in good repair
  • Smaller group sizes of children
  • Open-door policy


  • It is our goal to help you choose wisely on a program for your child(ren). Choosing a quality program is one of the most important and difficult decisions you will ever make. A good setting is one that provides the environment and experiences your child needs to learn new skills and develop socially. Look for a positive and caring relationship between the program's staff and children. Your relationship with your child's program should feel comfortable and trusting. The environment should be cheerful and above all, safe. The program should include experiences and activities you consider important. You want to choose a program that fits your ideas about parenting and learning and where your child(ren) will be safe and happy.

    Children with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs

    Florida's Central Directory is a resource for families with children who have disabilities and special health care needs. The Central Directory provides information and referral on services available. The Central Directory:

  • Provides answers and/or possible choices within your community
  • Provides education on disability related services
  • Provides advocacy role for families with disabilities and special health care needs
  • Electronically routes calls to Early Steps, FDLRS/Child Find Programs


  • To contact the Central Directory, call (800) 654-4440 or visit their website at www.centraldirectory.org.

    Early Education and Care, Inc. has an Inclusion Specialist on staff who can assist families locate available services. Please call our office at (850) 872-7550 or (800) 768-8316.

    Links of Interest

    Department of Children and Families Licensing

    AWI/Office of Early Learning

    Child Care Aware

    NACCRRA

    Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida

    Florida's Central Directory

    Florida KidCare

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