Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)
In November 2002, Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment requiring a Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program for all 4-year-old children by fall 2005. Governor Bush signed House Bill 1-A into law on January 2, 2005, establishing this free program to enhance school readiness skills. Parents can enroll their children who are 4 years old by September 1 and reside in Florida in this state-funded VPK program.
Since the launch of the VPK program in 2005, ECS4Kids has played a leading role, organizing the enrollment of 83 providers and over 1,800 children in five counties during its first year. Today, ECS4Kids continues to be a VPK leader, serving more than 5,000 children annually.
To register your child for a VPK program, please visit the Family Portal.
For questions, call our Family Services Department at 904-726-1500 ext. 7055.
Highlights
- Began in fall 2005.
- High-quality educational program with a focus on early literacy.
- Free for all children who are 4 years old by September 1 and reside in Florida.
- Free for children who reside in Florida and turn 5 years old between February 2 and September 1 and postpone their eligibility until the following program year.
- No registration fee.
- Providers and instructors meet minimum state requirements.
- Ratio of one credentialed instructor per 11 children.
- Class sizes do not exceed 20 children.
- Parents can choose the provider that best meets their family’s needs.
- Both private and public providers participate.
VPK Program Options
Children can participate in one of the following VPK program options:
- School Year Program – 540 instructional hours
- Summer Program – 300 instructional hours; available the summer before the child’s kindergarten-eligible school year
- Specialized Instructional Services (SIS) – Allows children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to receive specialized services in lieu of traditional VPK classroom instruction
Please note: Once your child has enrolled in kindergarten, they are no longer eligible to participate in the VPK program.
VPK Curriculum
- Must be developmentally appropriate.
- Focus on early literacy skills.
- Prepare the child to be ready for kindergarten based on standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
Transportation
Parents are responsible for providing transportation for their children enrolled in VPK.
VPK Parent Resources
Click the links below to download helpful VPK resources.
VPK Parent Handbook (updated 2021)
Quality Checklist for Child Care Centers
Quality Checklist for Family Child Care Homes
Please check back periodically for updated forms and information.
Finding a VPK Program and Registration Information
Click the links below for more information on finding a VPK program and registration information.
Other Early Learning Programs
If you indicated interest in other early learning programs on your VPK application, you may be eligible for additional services, including full-day School Readiness services, Florida Kid Care, and more.
For a Fact Sheet for Families with an overview of available early learning programs in the state of Florida including programs for children with Special Needs, click here.
For more information, call 1-800-238-3463 to speak with a Family Services Specialist.
To contact Head Start, call 1-800-745-4836.
Visit the Division of Early Learning website for more resources.
