Best of Florida

Tender Care PPEC

“A loving daycare for children with special medical needs”

About Us

Tender Care PPEC (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care)

📞 800-754-1490   

📧 contact@tcms.care

Tender Care is a pediatric extended care facility (PPEC) that provides skilled nursing care to medically complex and fragile children from birth to 21 years old. Founded in 1988, we are the first independently owned PPEC in Florida, with 33 years of experience. Our mission is to help each child develop fully through collaboration with families, doctors, nurses, and therapists.

We offer a daycare-like environment where children can receive medical care while engaging with peers socially, meeting both their physical and emotional needs. We also provide free, accessible transportation with a nurse for safety, as well as nutritious meals, including feeding assistance for children with G or J tubes. What makes us unique is our genuine care and passion for helping children succeed.

Schedule A Tour!

We Offer Skilled Services at our 6 Locations!

Skilled Nursing Care

At Tender Care PPEC, our dedicated nursing team provides exceptional care for medically fragile, medically complex, and technologically dependent children from birth to 21 years old. We’re here to support your child’s health with compassion and expertise every day.

 

Therapy Services

Our Therapy Program offers physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapies by qualified therapists. We also provide training and support to caregivers and family members while your child receives care.

 

Child Care Food Program

We participate in Florida’s Child Care Food Program (CCFP) to ensure your child receives the best nutritional options while in our care.

 

Transportation

Tender Care PPEC offers free daily medical transportation to and from our centers. During the trip, your child is accompanied by our nursing staff in fully equipped, comfortable vans.

Education

We believe education is key to your child’s growth. Our program includes a dedicated teacher focused on engaging and enriching your child’s developing mind.

Activities

Every day is an adventure at Tender Care PPEC! We promote learning and development through play, socialization, and plenty of fun activities.

KristianKristian
18:55 29 Nov 24
Tender Care PPEC is truly Amazing!The staff is compassionate, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to providing the highest level of care for medically fragile children. The facility is clean, welcoming, and equipped with everything needed to ensure the safety and happiness of each child.What stands out most is the personal touch—every child is treated like family, and parents are kept informed and reassured every step of the way. You can see the genuine joy in the children and the dedication of the team.Tender Care PPEC goes above and beyond, not only meeting medical needs but also nurturing each child’s development and happiness. I highly recommend them to any family looking for a safe, loving environment for their little one.
Janette RodriquezJanette Rodriquez
17:01 15 Aug 24
Aurora LewisAurora Lewis
17:55 29 May 24
Tender Care PPEC is a loving PPEC facility with amazing nurses! The center is clean and they really care for the kids.
EVAN LOBIANCOEVAN LOBIANCO
23:21 09 May 24
Best PPEC in the area
Falande Georges D.Falande Georges D.
18:33 02 Dec 22
They are very involved in the life of my special needs child.
Indu TymeIndu Tyme
23:02 29 Nov 22
Roynesha NealRoynesha Neal
18:59 29 Nov 22
The director JR is the best there is and I highly recommend anyone who has a child or loved one who requires services to choose Tender Care Center.
Andrea WilliamsAndrea Williams
13:31 21 May 22
Johnny Rhoy CariagaJohnny Rhoy Cariaga
20:20 19 May 22
Ashley OlszewskiAshley Olszewski
17:40 10 Sep 21
My son has been a patient here for over 2 years. I'm extremely happy with his care and their service. The entire staff has gone way out of their way to accommodate us. I highly recommend!
Brianna WileyBrianna Wiley
18:43 10 Jun 21
Tender Care has an amazing staff that truly cares for all the medically fragile children in their care. They treat all the patients and their families as their own. They are organized, consistent, thorough, and safety oriented towards all the children. The therapy programs, guaranteed socialization for the children and decreased need for hospitalization adds to Tender Care's value. The staff clearly keeps the children and their families the main focus. Tender Care offers transportation to and from the centers for all patients, this convenience relieves a lot of stress from the parents and guardians. There is no better place than Tender Care, the services they provide for the special needs pediatric community are truly incredible and unmatched.
Treniece LanierTreniece Lanier
12:32 01 May 21
Caring and kind dedicated center with real patience, love for children
Rebecca GreenRebecca Green
21:34 17 Feb 21
I can't even explain how amazing everyone here is. From the driver's, aides, and office staff to the management. Having a child with special medical needs is hard enough but the entire staff goes above and beyond to care for all the children. We'd be lost without these guys and speaking for all the parents THANK YOU ALL.
Monica RileyMonica Riley
18:24 11 Oct 19
I was fortunate to work for TCMS as a driver. From the first meeting to my last day of employment the management, co-workers and children were encouraging, fun, happy and professional. Having the experience of working at both the Dunnellon and Spring Hill locations, I can attest to the integrity and authentic leadership style of the owners. I was made to feel a part of the family atmosphere. Employee input is valued and welcomed. They were flexible and accommodating with work schedules.Down to Earth, patient and skilled are just some of the ways to describe how they treat employees and families all the time. I hold them in high regard and would encourage future employees and/or future families to become part of the "family." Warmly, Monica Riley
TCC Fort LauderdaleTCC Fort Lauderdale
19:44 18 Jul 19
The services that are provided for the special needs pediatric community is incredible. The children are able to socialize with other children just like them. It's an all in one resource and center that encompasses all the services a child with medical needs requires. Skilled nursing, therapy, assistance with transportation services, care coordination, pre- school preparation and a food program through the State of Florida. Plus TCC has been around for over 25 years and well known in the community . I've been a Tender care employee for over 9 years and I'm proud to be a part of Tender Care's growth over the years.
Dana ParkerDana Parker
17:38 24 May 18
Tender car facility is a warm, nurturing and professional environment. All the staff genuinely care for the children and offer a level of care and support that is unmatched in any other special needs care facility. I am honored to have spent my clinical rotation at this facility and look forward to perhaps volunteering in the future. Special shout out to Eric and Angel who go above and beyond for those kids each and every day.
Vintage CocoanutGroveVintage CocoanutGrove
18:33 21 May 18
Beyond impressed.The love and expertise I have witnessed here is amazing. Rarely have I encountered this level of consistency and commitment observed in the nursing, respiratory and ancillary staff as well as with the incredible therapists I have seen here, and with regularity.I recommend Tender Care without hesitation.The staff clearly loves what they do, and they truly love these children.This is comprehensive, intelligent, thorough, loving and meticulous care for children at its finest. Please tour this facility if you find yourself needing this type of care for a loved one and tell your colleagues. Tender Care raises the bar and represents superior childcare.Their facility is the standard by which all others should be judged.
Laurie SmalleyLaurie Smalley
12:51 17 May 18
I love working with the children of Tender Care and enjoy teaching them lots of fun things. This facility is a very caring and enriching environment for children that require special care. The nursing staff not only provide excellent medical care but truly love these kids! I truly believe Tender Care is one of a kind...setup a tour and see for yourself! 🙂
John LoBoJohn LoBo
16:16 09 May 18
Tender Care is a wonderful place for children with special medical needs! The staff is made up of some of the most helpful and compassionate people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I recommend this facility to any parent looking for a loving day-care style environment for their special needs children.
Lela RodriguezLela Rodriguez
16:12 05 Nov 17
Such an amazing facility the staff treats you like family. From the first day I visited the location the nurses were so friendly and informative their main focus was to understand my child's needs. The facility is very clean and well organized after meeting with the staff and touring the toddlers room. I was able to go to work with a peace of mind that my child would be in great hands not to mention their transportation service makes my morning go very smooth. I would refer any parent to the tender care family.
js_loader

Tender Care PPEC News

PPEC Services for Children in Fort Lauderdale

PPEC services: for families of children with complex medical needs, navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) centers in Fort Lauderdale that offer a vital service — skilled medical care in a daycare-like setting for children with chronic or severe health conditions.

PPEC Meaning

PPEC Meaning: For children with special medical needs, having access to the right care and support is crucial for their well-being and development. In some cases, families may seek specialized services to meet their child’s medical and therapeutic requirements. This is where PPEC comes in.

Supporting Children with Special Medical Needs Through Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy

Children with special medical needs often face unique challenges in their daily lives. Whether it’s due to congenital conditions, developmental delays, or injuries, the support of physical, occupational, and speech therapy can make a profound difference in helping them thrive. These therapies aim to improve mobility, enhance communication, and foster independence—key aspects in a child’s growth and development.

Tender Care PPEC has a New Homepage! (2025)

We’re excited to announce our new homepage of 2025!

Tender Care PPEC attended the 8th Annual Connecting the Dots Conference 2024!

Tender Care PPEC had the honor of attending the 8th Annual Connecting the Dots Conference, where we were privileged to present on PPECs. A big thank you to everyone who attended and engaged with us—your questions and interest made the experience even more meaningful. We look forward to continuing the conversation and building more connections in the future!

Tender Care Attended Help Me Grow’s Inaugural Books, Balls, and Blocks event in St. Johns County 2024!

We were thrilled to be invited to attend Help Me Grow’s inaugural Books, Balls, and Blocks event in St. Johns County on November 8th. The event successfully connected nine families with valuable resources, helped complete three developmental questionnaires, and provided essential support to each family. We’re excited for the upcoming event in Palm Coast on December 13th!

Tender Care Attended the NICU reunion at the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital 2024!

What an incredible day at the NICU reunion at the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital! We were moved by the inspiring stories from families who have overcome so much and grateful for the chance to reconnect with them.

Hurricane Grill & Wings Donated to Tender Care PPEC (2024)!

A great big, heartfelt THANK YOU to Hurricane Grill & Wings in St. Augustine! Thanks to the incredible generosity of their regular patrons and the owner’s matching contribution, we’re one step closer to making our patients’ special Christmas wishes come true.

The Petting Zoo Came to our Ft. Lauderdale PPEC Center!

The petting zoo came to Tender Care in Fort Lauderdale, and our kids had the best time meeting all the animals! So many smiles, cuddles, and little moments of pure joy.

Tender Care Attended TLC’s Fall Festival 2024!

We had a wonderful time at TLC’s Fall Festival 2024! It was heartwarming to reconnect with one of our former Tender Care PPEC graduates—a true success story who reminds us why we do what we do. A big thank you to TLC for hosting such a fantastic event that celebrates inclusion and community!