Under Rule 6M-4.500(7), Florida Administrative Code, a child care provider may be reimbursed by the coalition at a higher rate if caring for any SR child with special needs requiring additional care beyond services required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To receive a special needs rate, the provider must submit a list of services it is providing to each child with special needs, in addition to the routine school readiness services. The rate may be negotiated up to twenty percent (20%) above the established coalition reimbursement rate for infant care .  The rule further clarifies that the child’s condition requiring a special needs rate must be validated by a licensed health, mental health, education, or social service professional other than the child’s parent or person employed by the child care provider.

Child Eligibility

A child may be considered for SNR if the child:

Is actively enrolled in the School Readiness Program; and has at least one qualifying document on file, including:

• A current individual educational plan (IEP) with a Florida school district

• A current individualized family support plan (IFSP)

• A diagnosed special need which may include any physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral condition that requires a higher level of care in the child care setting.

• A written determination of required accommodations by a licensed health care professional, mental health care professional or an educational psychologist who is not the child’s parent or an employee of the provider.

Provider Eligibility

Provider must be contracted with the ELC for School Readiness and must submit the SNR request for each child. Parent or legal guardian consent is required.

• Checked "Yes" in their provider profile to the question, "Is your program equipped to care for children with special needs?" 
• Documentation of the child’s diagnosis and any accommodations that exceed ADA requirements must be submitted to the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) to justify this rate.

• Current documentation must be submitted when qualifying documentation expires.

Eligibility Documentation

Upload below a copy of the child's current IEP, IFSP or other official documentation to the link below. Eligibility requires a documented physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral condition verified by a licensed health, mental health, education or social service professional other than the child's parent or person employed by the child care provider. 

Parent Consent Form

Please print the consent form by clicking the link below. Have the parent complete and sign. Then upload the signed consent form into the box below. 

Parent / Guardian Consent Form

Accomodations

Please provide a list of accommodations established, that exceed ADA requirements, to support the child in the classroom. Accommodations should reflect what you have already implemented and what you plan to implement. These accommodations should reflect the child's documented needs and individualized plan if applicable. 

Provider Profile

Before you can submit your SNR application, you must have selected "Yes" in your provider profile to the question, "Is your program equipped to care for children with special needs?" 

If you have not already done so: 

• Log in to your provider portal 
• In your provider profile, go to the "Services" tab
• You will see question #10 asks "Is your program equipped to care for children with special needs?" 
• Check the "Yes" box and submit. 

Special Needs Differential Training Requirements

Beginning July 1, 2027, staff must complete training on early identification of social and communication delays, ten (10) hours in inclusive early childhood or school-age practices within 90 days of a child’s enrollment or staff assignment, and at least two hours of related training annually. Refer to the School Readiness Program Special Needs Training Differential Training Requirements Guide (PDF) for a comprehensive list of courses that meet this training requirement.

If  you have any questions about the special needs differential for school readiness children, please contact Leah Binkley at 941-954-4830 x 102 or lbinkley@elcsarasota.org