Become a VPK Provider
Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program offers free educational opportunities for all 4-year-old children, helping them build a foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. If you are interested in becoming a VPK provider, this page outlines the necessary steps, requirements, and benefits of participation.
What is VPK?
In 2002, Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment requiring the creation of a VPK program by 2005. The program is designed to prepare children for school by offering free, high-quality early learning opportunities to families across the state. Parents can enroll their child (who must be 4 years old by September 1 and reside in Florida) in a free VPK program.
As a VPK provider, you play a crucial role in delivering these early learning experiences, and ECS4Kids is here to help guide you through the process.
Applying to Become a VPK Provider
If you’re interested in becoming a VPK Provider, the process is simple and completed entirely online through the Provider Portal. Here’s how to get started:
- Visit the Provider Portal.
- If you haven’t already registered for an account, you will need to create one.
- If this is your first time offering VPK services, please notify the department you will be registering with at 1-800-238-3463 so that they can monitor your activation request.
- Once registered, complete your center profile for the program year you wish to offer VPK services. Submit this profile for activation.
- After ECS4Kids reviews and activates your profile, they will initiate the VPK Application (VPK APP) and eventually the VPK contract.
The Provider Portal User Guide is a helpful tool during the process of completing your profile and application. Please note, as a VPK provider, you are required to administer the VPK assessment.
For assistance, please contact the Provider Services Department at 904-726-1500 ext. 7054.
Private Provider Eligibility
To deliver Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program, private providers must meet specific eligibility criteria. Providers may include:
- Licensed child care facilities
- Licensed family day care homes (registered homes are not eligible)
- Licensed large family child care homes
- Non-public schools
- Faith-based child care providers that are exempt from licensure
In addition to being one of the above, providers must also fulfill one of the following options:
- Option 1: Be accredited by a VPK-recognized accrediting association.
- Option 2: Hold a current Gold Seal Quality Care designation.
- Option 3: Be a licensed child care provider and demonstrate to the Early Learning Coalition that the provider meets all VPK program requirements, which include:
- Instructor credentials and background screenings
- Compliance with minimum and maximum class size regulations
- Possession of a VPK Director’s Credential
- Use of a developmentally appropriate curriculum
Please note: Unlicensed family day care homes and informal child care providers are not eligible to participate in the VPK program.
School-Year VPK Program Standards
To participate in the school-year VPK program, providers must adhere to the following standards:
- Offer 540 instructional hours.
- Maintain VPK classes with at least four children and no more than 20 children (however, providers may not exceed their licensed capacity).
- Have a VPK Director’s Credential. Directors who received the DCF Director’s Credential prior to December 31, 2006, are exempt from obtaining the VPK Director’s endorsement (but are strongly encouraged to participate in the trainings).
- Have a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
- Have, for each VPK class, at least one VPK instructor who:
- Holds, at a minimum, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential issued by the National Credentialing Program or a credential approved by the Department of Children and Families as being equivalent to or greater than the national credential AND Completes a five-hour emergent literacy training course and standards for 4 years old (2011) or Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classrooms: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten (July 2018)
-OR- - Holds one of the following educational credentials:
- A bachelor’s or higher degree in early childhood education, Prekindergarten or primary education, preschool education, or family and consumer science.
- A bachelor’s or higher degree in elementary education if the Prekindergarten instructor has been certified to teach children any age from birth through 6th grade, regardless of whether the instructor’s educator certificate is current.
- An associate or higher degree in child development.
- An associate or higher degree in an unrelated field, at least six credit hours in early childhood education or child development, and at least 480 hours of experience in teaching or providing child care services for children any age from birth through 8 years of age.
- An educational credential approved by the Department of Education as being equivalent to or greater than an educational credential described above.
- Holds, at a minimum, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential issued by the National Credentialing Program or a credential approved by the Department of Children and Families as being equivalent to or greater than the national credential AND Completes a five-hour emergent literacy training course and standards for 4 years old (2011) or Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classrooms: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten (July 2018)
- Have, for each VPK class of 12 or more children, at least one additional instructor who has current Level 2 background screenings.
- Employ instructors of good moral character.
- Complete background screening (Level 2 screening in s.435.04, F.S.) for all instructors.
Summer VPK Program Standards
For the summer VPK program, providers must:
- Offer 300 instructional hours.
- Offer the program between May 1 and the start of the public schools in your county.
- Maintain VPK classes with at least four children and no more than 12 children (however, providers may not exceed their licensed capacity).
- Have a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
- Have, for each VPK class, an instructor who holds one of the following credentials:
- A bachelor’s or higher degree in early childhood education, Prekindergarten or primary education, preschool education, or family and consumer science; or
- Current valid Florida teaching certificate; or
- Bachelor’s or higher degree in elementary education, if the Prekindergarten instructor has been certified to teach children any age from birth through 6th grade, regardless of whether the instructor’s educator certificate is current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will providers be able to turn away children requesting to enroll in their VPK program?
A: Florida Law prohibits VPK providers from discriminating against children or their parents on the basis of race, color, or national origin, including the refusal to admit a child to the VPK program.
Q: How much funding will be provided per child?
A: Allocations are subject to change each fiscal year based on legislation. Please click here for current allocations.
Q: How will VPK providers get paid?
A: VPK providers will be paid in advance with a reconciliation of attendance conducted at the end of each month. There is also an option to opt out of these payments and only receive actual payments. Payment option is included in the VPK provider contract.
Q: Will there be parent fees associated with the VPK program?
A: The VPK program is FREE for all eligible children, regardless of family income. Providers are not permitted to charge a registration fee or require parents to agree to any additional services. State law does not, however, prohibit a provider from charging registration fees, tuition, etc., for programs or care that are not part of the VPK program hours.
Q: Will the VPK program provide funding for transportation?
A: No. Florida Law specifies that each parent is responsible for the transportation of his or her child to and from the VPK program. VPK providers may offer transportation services for families.
Q: Where can I find more information regarding the Child Development Associate Equivalency (CDAE) program?
A: You can find more information at the Department of Children and Families website.
Q: Is the Employment History Recognition Exemption the same as being granted a CDAE?
A: The Employment History Recognition Exemption is not the same as a Florida CDAE, which is an approved course of study. The Employment History Recognition Exemption is an alternative to the Florida CDAE that meets the staff credential requirement for purposes of licensing, but does not qualify as a credential for the purpose of VPK.
Q: I want to work in a VPK program, what do I need to do?
A: Training varies depending on which program you want to work in. Requirements for working in an early learning program can be found here. Course schedules and fees can be obtained by selecting your county at the top of the page. For more information, please contact the Child Care Training Services Center (CCTSC) at 1-888-352-2842.