Voluntary PreKindergarten (VPK)

The Voluntary PreKindergarten program (VPK) is a legislatively mandated program designed to prepare Florida's four-year-olds for kindergarten and build the foundation for their educational success. Participation is free for all four-year-olds born on or before September 1st of each year who are Florida Residents.

Eligibility for participation in the VPK program is based on the following:

1. Proof of birth

• Birth Certificate (Original or Certified Copy)
• Baptism Certificate (Original or Certified Copy with parent sworn affidavit)
• Insurance Policy ( at least 2 years in effect)
• Passport (at least 2 years in effect)
• Immunization Record (indicating date of birth & signed by a public health officer or a licensed practicing physician)
• Valid Military Dependent Identification Card

2. Proof of residency

• Utility bill
• Residential rental agreement (signed by landlord and verifiable)
• Pay-Stub (Current)
• Government Document (Specify)

Parents of participating children can choose from two program options for the VPK program:

1. School Year Session - VPK programs that operate during the school year must offer 540 hours of instruction. Each program sets their own calendar at the beginning of the year. The majority of school year VPK programs offer a 3 hour/day program for 180 days (often mirroring the public school year calendar). There are programs that offer a 6 hour/day program for one half of the school year.
2. Summer VPK Program - VPK programs that operate during the Summer must offer 300 hours of instruction with a start date after May 1 and end date prior to the start of the school year in public schools. Most program options offer a 7-9 hour day between June through August. All school districts are required by the VPK law to offer a summer program if there are any eligible programs wanting to participate.

Click below for a complete listing of current approved VPK providers.

• VPK Providers - Gadsden (pdf 11.10 kB)
• VPK Providers - Liberty (pdf 10.04 kB)
• VPK Providers - Leon (pdf 74.82 kB)
• VPK Providers - Jefferson (pdf 10.23 kB)
• VPK Providers - Madison (pdf 10.78 kB)
• VPK Providers - Taylor (pdf 10.84 kB)
• VPK Providers - Wakulla

Voluntary Prekindergarten Program Provider Readiness Rates

The Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK) Readiness Rates measure how well a private or public VPK provider prepared four-year-olds for kindergarten. VPK providers receive a rate, which is based on children’s performance on the three measures of the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener – a screening instrument given to children within the first 30 days of attending kindergarten. The Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener includes selected measures from the Early Childhood Observation System™ (ECHOS™), which measures classroom readiness, and the first two measures of the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills™ (DIBELS™), which measures both sound and alphabet recognition. To review a VPK Provider's Readiness Rate, click here.

To see if your child/ren qualifies for the VPK program review the VPK checklist and complete the application below:

• VPK Checklist (pdf 27.54 kB)
• VPK Application- Sign Up Here! (pdf 90.36 kB)

Completed applications and required documentation should be brought to any one of the ELC Family Service Centers. For further information or questions contact the ELC at 850-385-0504.