Voluntary PreKindergarten (VPK)

Florida’s legislatively mandated Voluntary PreKindergarten (VPK) program is intended to prepare every four-year-old in the state of Florida for kindergarten and build a strong foundation for their continued educational success.

VPK is a free, voluntary program that parents of 4 year old children can choose to participate in through either a school year program for a total of 540 instructional hours or a summer program for a total of 300 instructional hours.

Parents can also choose to enroll their child in either a public school or a preschool program offered by a private provider.

The Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region is the local entity responsible for the implementation and administration of the VPK program in Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla counties.

The ELC enrolls children and providers, and facilitates payments to VPK providers. The Coalition also provides up to date information on the VPK program, distributes current VPK policies, offers program guidance and instruction, presents training opportunities, and monitors compliance with VPK policies and standards.

Providers interested in becoming a VPK provider for the 10-11 School Year session should download and complete the updated School Year packet below. To ensure your program is approved and can start on time, please be sure to submit your application and all supporting documents to the ELC Provider Network team at least one month prior to your program's projected start date. Please contact a Provider Network Specialist at (850) 385-0551 to set up an appointment to review completed VPK application packets.

VPK Confirmation Numbers will only be issued to approved providers. Confirmation numbers will be distributed at ELC office sites each Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00pm to 2:00pm beginning July 13, 2010.

School Year 2010-2011 VPK Packet (pdf 788.66 kB)

VPK Provider Contract (pdf 102.93 kB)

Form 10 (pdf 121.76 kB)

Form 11 (pdf 113.15 kB)

VPK Substitute Form (msword 104.00 kB)

VPK Classroom Change/Update Form (msword 107.00 kB)

2010-2011 VPK Provider Toolkit Coming Soon!