Now accepting new children · Ages 0–21
Medical Daycare
Built on Love
A licensed nurse cares for your medically complex child all day — with therapy, learning and other children — while you get your workday back. Covered by Florida Medicaid.
Or call us now — (941) 979-8421
Care Under One Roof
Nursing, therapy, transportation and childhood — in one building, on one plan of care, in one day.
Skilled Pediatric Nursing
Assessments, medications, tube feedings, trach and vent care by licensed nurses, all day.
Learn moreOn-Site Therapies
Physical, occupational, speech, feeding and ABA therapy built into your child’s day.
Learn moreRespiratory Care
Oxygen, nebulizers, suctioning, tracheostomy care and ventilator support.
Learn moreFree Transportation
Door-to-door pickup from home or school, with our own staff riding along.
Learn moreRecreation & Field Trips
Music, art, sensory play and outings, adapted so every child can take part.
Learn moreAfter-School Program
School-age children continue their nursing care and therapy with the same team.
Learn more
What Is a PPEC?
Parents usually arrive knowing two options — daycare or a nurse at home. PPEC is a third one, and most families have never heard of it.
A Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care center is a medical day program licensed by the State of Florida. Children with medically complex conditions spend the day with licensed nurses instead of at home or in a hospital bed.
Florida Medicaid covers up to 12 hours a day, from birth through age 21. Your child gets nursing care, therapy, learning and other children to play with. You get your workday back.
| Feature | Regular Daycare | Home Nursing | PPEC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed nurses on site | No | One nurse, one child | Full nursing team |
| Trach, vent and G-tube care | No | Yes | Yes |
| Therapy inside the same day | No | No | Speech, OT, PT, feeding |
| Other children to play with | Yes | No | Yes |
| Transportation | No | No | Free, door to door |
| Hours per day | Varies | Limited hours | Up to 12 |
| Cost to your family | Out of pocket | Limited hours | Covered by Medicaid |
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Welcome To Ellie's World,
Where Medical Care Feels Like Home
Ellie's World is a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care center in Port Charlotte, Florida. Licensed nurses care for medically complex children from birth through age 21 — every weekday, and Saturdays too.
We built this place on purpose to feel nothing like a hospital. It is a full medical building, kept clean and organized, where nursing, therapy, learning and play all happen under one roof. So you can go back to work, or back to your other children, knowing a nurse is watching — not a babysitter.
“Our goal is to give families peace of mind knowing their child is receiving high-quality care from a compassionate team that truly gets to know each child.”
Learn about usWhy Families Choose Ellie's World
Ten reasons parents give us after their first tour.
Nurses, Not Sitters
RNs and LPNs on the floor every hour we are open, working from a written plan of care.
A Team That Knows Your Child
Small enough that every nurse knows your child by name, their routine and what upsets them.
A Real Medical Building
Not a converted storefront. A full medical facility, kept clean and organized, that you are welcome to inspect.
Up To 12 Hours a Day
Plus Saturdays. Care that fits a real work schedule, not a school bell.
Therapy Built In
Speech, OT, PT, feeding and ABA during the day — not another appointment across town.
Free Transportation
Door to door, from home or school, with our own staff riding along on every trip.
Bilingual Team
Every conversation about your child happens in English or Spanish, your choice.
Room To Be a Kid
Recreation, music, art and field trips adapted so every child can take part.
Family Training
We teach you what we do here, so the care you give at home gets easier.
Licensed by AHCA
Florida licensed under Chapter 400 and a Medicaid-covered benefit for eligible children.
A Day at Ellie's World
What the hours between drop-off and pick-up actually look like.
- 6:45 AM
We pick up at your door
Our van arrives at the time we agreed. A staff member rides along on every trip, every day.
- 7:30 AM
Nurse assessment and morning meds
Vitals, skin check, feeding tube check and any medication your child’s doctor has ordered.
- 9:00 AM
First therapy block
Speech, occupational or physical therapy, one on one, following your child’s plan of care.
- 11:00 AM
Circle time and sensory play
Music, colors and other children. For many of the children here, their first friends.
- 12:00 PM
Lunch, tube feedings and rest
Oral or G-tube, positioned and monitored, then quiet time on their own mat or crib.
- 2:00 PM
Second therapy block
Fine motor work, mobility, communication devices or feeding progression.
- 3:30 PM
Recreation and free play
Art, music and adapted activities so every child can join, whatever equipment they use.
- 5:00 PM
Nurse note and ride home
You get a written summary of the day — feedings, medications, mood and progress.
Times are a typical weekday. Every schedule is built around your child's plan of care and your work hours.
Does Your Child Qualify?
PPEC is a nursing program, not a therapy clinic. Four things have to be true — and the first one is the one families are most often surprised by.
- 1
A daily skilled nursing need
This is the requirement families are most often surprised by. PPEC is a nursing program, so your child must need care that legally requires a licensed nurse — things like tube feedings, a tracheostomy, ventilator support, oxygen, catheter care, seizure rescue medication or a complex medication schedule. Therapy needs alone do not qualify a child.
Most misunderstood - 2
Age 0 to 21
PPEC serves children from birth until their 21st birthday. Authorizations are approved in periods and renewed as long as the medical need continues.
- 3
Florida Medicaid
Straight Medicaid or a Medicaid managed care plan. We verify your coverage for you before day one, so you are not the one making the phone calls.
- 4
A doctor's order
A prescription from your child's physician stating that PPEC services are medically necessary. We coordinate this request with your pediatrician or specialist.
How Enrollment Works
Four steps, and we do most of them for you.
Call or text us
A short conversation about your child's medical needs and insurance. Ten minutes, no paperwork, and we will tell you honestly whether PPEC fits.
We verify coverage
We contact your Medicaid plan and confirm benefits. You do not make the calls or sit on hold.
Tour the center
You come see the nursing station, the therapy rooms and the team. Tours take about 30 minutes and you can bring your child.
We request the order
We coordinate the prescription and the authorization with your child's physician, then agree on a start date and build the transportation route.
There Is No Cost To Your Family
PPEC is a covered benefit under Florida Medicaid, and that includes the transportation. We verify your child’s coverage before day one, so you never get a surprise bill.
We answer in English and Spanish, usually the same business day.
What Parents Say
“PPEC has been the best for my daughter. Lisbet and her team have been professional, caring, and patient with me through this process. You can tell everyone loves what they do and very good care of the kids there.”
“Today I had the opportunity to tour Ellie’s World, a PPEC daycare for medically fragile children, and I was truly impressed. The environment is clean, nurturing, and filled with positivity. You can genuinely feel the love and care the staff pours into every child.”
“This is truly the best place I could ask for to care for my child. The staff works together so smoothly and efficiently, and the communication is absolutely amazing. I am very happy with this center and the level of care they provide.”
Ellie's World by the Numbers
- 0–21
Ages Served
From newborns through their 21st birthday.
- 12h
Daily Coverage
Medicaid covers up to 12 hours of PPEC care a day.
- 4
Counties Served
Charlotte, Lee, DeSoto and Sarasota, with transportation.
- 2
Languages
Every conversation in English or Spanish.
Serving Charlotte County, Lee County, DeSoto County and Sarasota County from our center in Port Charlotte.
Inside Our Center
A real medical building, kept clean and organized. This is where your child would spend the day.
Daily nursing check 
Our lobby 
Our team on opening day
Questions Parents Ask First
The four that come up on almost every call.
What actually makes a child eligible for PPEC?
Four things have to be true: your child needs care that requires a licensed nurse on a daily basis, your child is between birth and age 21, your child has Florida Medicaid, and your child’s physician writes an order saying PPEC is medically necessary. The nursing need is the requirement families are most often surprised by.
My child has autism and needs therapy. Do you take him?
Only if there is also a daily medical need that requires a licensed nurse. PPEC is a nursing program, so a child who is medically stable and needs therapy or behavioral support alone will not be approved, no matter how much the therapy would help. If that is your situation, call us anyway and we will point you toward outpatient therapy, an ABA provider, Early Steps or your school district, whichever fits your child’s age and diagnosis.
How much does PPEC cost?
For families with Florida Medicaid, PPEC is a covered benefit with no copay, and that includes the transportation. We verify your coverage before enrollment so you never get a surprise bill.
What are your hours?
Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Florida Medicaid covers up to 12 hours of PPEC care per day.