THE GATEWAY TO SEASIDE
More Than a Preschool. The Beginning of a K-8 Journey.
Sea Turtle Early Learning Center is not a standalone preschool. It’s the first chapter of a complete Waldorf-inspired education that carries your child from their earliest school days all the way through Grade 8.
When your child joins Sea Turtle ELC at our Beaches or Mandarin campus, they’re not just starting preschool. They’re joining a school community that will know them, grow with them, and champion them for years to come. Teacher looping means your child’s teachers stay with them across multiple grade levels – building the kind of deep, trusting relationships that are rare in any school.
Choosing Sea Turtle ELC is choosing a complete educational path – from the wonder of early childhood through the confidence of graduation, inside one extraordinary school community.
THE SEA TURTLE DIFFERENCE
A Preschool Where Childhood Is Protected and Learning Is Joyful.
Finding the right preschool means asking the right questions. Not just who will watch my child – but who will truly know my child.
At Sea Turtle ELC, we believe the early years should be filled with imagination, movement, storytelling, friendship, and purposeful play. Academic readiness doesn’t come from pressure or early testing. It comes from emotional security, confidence, and a deep connection to the joy of discovery.
Four Pillars of the Sea Turtle Difference:
Child-Led Development
Every child at Sea Turtle ELC is seen as an individual. Our teachers observe, follow, and gently guide each child’s natural curiosity rather than pushing a scripted academic timeline. Learning unfolds at the pace that’s right for each child.
Play-Based and Nature-Rich
Play is not a break from learning at Sea Turtle ELC. It’s the primary vehicle for it. Daily outdoor exploration, gardening, sensory play, and movement are built into every school day – because research shows children who learn through rich, imaginative play develop stronger problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, and long-term academic success.
Screen-Free Environment
Sea Turtle ELC is intentionally screen-free. We protect children’s attention and imagination by prioritizing real-world, hands-on experiences over digital stimulation.
Social-Emotional First
At Sea Turtle ELC, social-emotional learning is the foundation of everything. Children learn to share, listen, express feelings, resolve conflict, and build friendships in a safe and supported environment – the true building blocks of kindergarten readiness and lifelong success.
Want to see this in action?
MEET YOUR DIRECTOR
Over 25 Years of Waldorf-Inspired Early Childhood Experience.
Contact Becky:
Becky Haning, ELC Director
844-973-2743 X8107
bhaning@seasidecharter.org
Becky Haning, Program Director of Sea Turtle Early Learning Center, has spent more than 25 years working with young children and the families who love them. Her approach is rooted in the Waldorf philosophy and shaped by a deep belief that the early years should be guided with intention, warmth, and joy.
Becky holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, a certificate in LifeWays Waldorf Early Childhood, and has completed extensive training in Conscious Discipline. When you tour Sea Turtle ELC, you’ll likely meet Becky directly. That’s exactly how she prefers it.
PROGRAMS & TUITION
ELC Programs for Jacksonville Families – Ages 3 Through VPK.
Sea Turtle ELC offers flexible full-day and VPK programs with before and after care options designed to fit the schedules of real Jacksonville families. Available at our Beaches and Mandarin campuses.
3-Year-Old Full-Day Program
Hours: 8:30 AM–3:30 PM · Tuition: $950/month · Wraparound care: Morning from 7:00 AM, afternoon until 6:00 PM
Our 3-year-old program is designed around the reality that for many children, this is their very first structured learning experience. Gentle separation, predictable daily rhythm, and deeply nurturing teacher relationships give young children the emotional security they need to explore, connect, and thrive.
4-Year-Old Full-Day Program
Hours: 8:30 AM–3:30 PM · Tuition: $1,050/month (without VPK) | $750/month (with VPK certificate) · Extended care: AM from 7:00 AM | PM until 6:00 PM | AM+PM combined
The 4-year-old program bridges the joy of early childhood with genuine kindergarten readiness – through storytelling, music, movement, and hands-on projects, not worksheets or academic pressure.
VPK Program (State-Funded)
Hours: 8:30 AM–11:30 AM · Tuition: $0 with valid VPK Certificate of Eligibility from Duval County Early Learning Coalition
Sea Turtle ELC accepts VPK certificates and aligns the program fully with Florida VPK standards while maintaining the Waldorf-inspired, play-based philosophy that makes the ELC exceptional.
Note: Sea Turtle ELC does not accept VPK vouchers, School Readiness vouchers, or military childcare assistance. VPK-only tuition is $280/month until documentation is received. For guidance on your Certificate of Eligibility, visit vpkhelp.org.
Add-On Care Options (4-Year-Old and VPK programs):
4-Year-Old (no VPK): Morning care $1,120/mo | Afternoon care $1,180/mo | AM+PM $1,250/mo
VPK + School Day: Morning care $820/mo | Afternoon care $880/mo | AM+PM $950/mo
Additional fees: Registration $200/new student | $100/returning | Supply fee $150/student (no registration fee for VPK-only)
Spots at Sea Turtle ELC are limited.
YOUR K-8 PATHWAY
Sea Turtle ELC Families Have a Clear Path Into Kindergarten at Seaside.
One of the most meaningful advantages of choosing Sea Turtle ELC is what comes next.
Children who attend Sea Turtle ELC at the Beaches campus have direct access to Seaside Charter Beaches (K-8). Children at the Mandarin ELC campus are connected to Seaside Charter Mandarin (K-8). Your child doesn’t have to start over – they carry their relationships, their teachers’ understanding, and the Waldorf-inspired rhythm they already know into Kindergarten and beyond.
Seaside Charter Schools’ K-8 program is tuition-free, funded by Duval County public education dollars. Admission is through a public lottery open to all Duval County residents.
The pathway in three steps:
- Enroll in Sea Turtle ELC (ages 3–5, Beaches or Mandarin campus)
- Apply for the Seaside Charter K-8 lottery during your child’s Pre-K or VPK year
- Transition directly into Seaside Charter Kindergarten in a community your child already knows and loves
ELC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to the Questions Jacksonville Preschool Families Ask Most.
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What ages does Sea Turtle ELC serve?
Sea Turtle Early Learning Center serves children ages 3 through VPK (4-year-olds). Both programs are available at the Beaches campus (32233) and the Mandarin campus (32257).
Is Sea Turtle ELC tuition-free?
A: The 3- and 4-year-old full-day programs have tuition. The VPK-only program is available at no cost to families with a valid Certificate of Eligibility from the Duval County Early Learning Coalition. Seaside Charter Schools’ K-8 program, starting at Kindergarten, is fully tuition-free.
What is VPK and how do I qualify in Jacksonville?
Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten program is a free, state-funded program for children who turn four on or before September 1 of the enrollment year. Register through the Early Learning Coalition of Duval County to receive a Certificate of Eligibility. For more info visit vpkhelp.org or contact Becky Haning at bhaning@seasidecharter.org.
Is Sea Turtle ELC a screen-free preschool?
Yes. Sea Turtle ELC is intentionally screen-free. We prioritize natural materials, hands-on exploration, outdoor play, and authentic human interaction.
How is Sea Turtle ELC different from Montessori preschool?
Both Waldorf-inspired and Montessori programs respect the child and emphasize developmentally appropriate learning. Montessori centers on independent workstations and structured early academic skill development. Sea Turtle ELC’s Waldorf-inspired approach places greater emphasis on storytelling, rhythm, imaginative play, creative arts, and social-emotional development. Both are excellent – Sea Turtle ELC is the right fit for families who want imagination, community, and whole-child nurture at the center of early childhood.
What is the enrollment process?
1) Schedule a campus tour. 2) Observe the classroom and ask questions. 3) Submit your enrollment application. 4) Receive confirmation based on availability. Because our classrooms are intentionally small, spots fill quickly – inquire early.
Does Sea Turtle ELC have before and after care?
Yes. Morning care from 7:00 AM and afternoon care until 6:00 PM at both Beaches and Mandarin campuses.
Can military families enroll at Sea Turtle ELC?
Yes, and we warmly welcome them. Note that Sea Turtle ELC does not accept military childcare assistance vouchers at this time. Contact Becky Haning for guidance on enrollment options.
Where is Sea Turtle ELC located?
Beaches: 2865 Mayport Road, Jacksonville, FL 32233 · Mandarin: 10850 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257
The Best Way to Choose a Preschool Is to Step Inside.
Walk the campus. Observe the classroom in rhythm. Meet Becky and our teachers. Ask every question you have. Tours at both our Beaches and Mandarin campuses are the single most important step in finding out whether Sea Turtle ELC is right for your family.
Becky Haning, ELC Director · 844-973-2743 X8107 · bhaning@seasidecharter.org
Beaches: 2865 Mayport Road, Jacksonville, FL 32233 · Mandarin: 10850 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257
Book a Campus Tour
Apply for ELC Enrollment