Huggie Bears, Cubbie Bears and Grizzlie Bears
A Place for Young Children to Learn, Play and Grow!
The Southwest Division's Early Learning Centers are affectionately referred to as the "The Bears." The centers are located in East Collier County and serve children ages 0 to 4 with full- and half-day programs, after-school care for elementary aged children, and a summer camp program. If you are looking for a nurturing atmosphere for preschool, VPK, After-School Care or Summer Camp, "The Bears" may be just right for you!
The Early Leaning Centers work to help parents provide the best care possible through the following programs:
- Free and Reduced-Cost Meal Program
- 4C (Community Cooperative Care for Children) Subsidized Care Program
- Highly trained and qualified staff
- Bilingual Staff
- Recommended Staff-to-Child Ratios
- Gold Seal Quality Care Accreditation
- Creative Curriculum for Early Childhood Care
- School Readiness Activities
- Extended Care from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Centers are open year-round and close only for New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Weekend and Christmas.
- Pick-up from area elementary schools for After-School Care
- Homework help for After-School Care children
Call our location directors to find out how to enroll your child or to take a tour of the centers.
Volunteer at the The Bears!
If you have the time, we need:
- Lunchtime cook
- Lunch server
- Naptime comforters
- One-on-one help for children during classtime
- After-school tutors
- Handy persons to help with center repairs
- Summer Fun volunteers to help with our summer production of "The Bears," including stage hands, costumers and coaches to help children with their lines
- Or, if you have less time during the day and would still like to support the program, give us a call at 239-334-0222 and ask about the The Bears Auxiliary.
Grizzlie Bears Center Director, Cindy Speers 239-417-6263
Huggie Bears Center Director, Mirtha Ortega 239-417-6265