VPK

Early Learning
Coalition of
Manatee County
3526 9TH Street West
Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: (941) 757-2900 Fax: (941) 747-4528

(1) What is Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)?
(2) When does the VPK program begin and who is eligible to deliver the program?
(3) Is my child eligible for the VPK program?
(4) How do I enroll my child in Florida's Voluntary Pre-K Program?
(5) What options for VPK will be available for families?
(6) Which private providers are eligible to offer the VPK program?
(7) Which public providers are eligible to offer the VPK program?
(8) When will I be able to select a provider?
(9) How many children may each private provider serve in the VPK program?
(10) Will providers be able to turn away children requesting to enroll in the VPK program?
(11) How much does it cost to enroll in a VPK program?
(12) Will the VPK program provide transportation?
(13) Do I have to enroll my eligible child in the VPK program?

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(1) What is Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)?
A constitutional amendment passed by Florida's voters in Nov. 2002 required a voluntary prekindergarten program for all
four-year-old children by fall 2005. House Bill 1-A was signed into law by Governor Bush on January 2, 2005, creating a
program designed to prepare four-year-olds for kindergarten and build the foundation for their educational success. The
program allows a parent to enroll his or her eligible child (four years old by September 1 and residing in Florida) in a free
VPK program. The program is voluntary for children and providers.
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(2) When does the VPK program begin and who is eligible to deliver the program?
The VPK program will begin for the 2008-2009 school year (August or September 2008). Public, private, and faith-based
providers may be eligible to deliver the program depending on whether they meet the minimum standards required in law.
The summer VPK program will be offered in May - June 2008. Children may participate in the summer VPK program the
summer immediately before the school year for which the child is eligible for kindergarten.
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(3) Is my child eligible for the VPK program?
A child must be 4 years of age on or before September 1, 2008, and reside in Florida to participate in the VPK program for
2008-2009.
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(4) How do I enroll my child in Florida's Voluntary Pre-K Program?
You may pre-apply for the VPK program at http://www.vpkflorida.org. Parents are encouraged to check the website
periodically for updates. Once you complete the pre-application, your local early learning coalition will contact you for
further information and to assist you in completing the application process. If you have any questions, you can find the
contact information for your local coalition by clicking on the link Where do I go for VPK information in my area? and
selecting the county in which you live.
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(5) What options for VPK will be available for families?
The Legislature created two different options for parents:

A school-year program consisting of 540 instructional hours and a summer program consisting of 300 instructional hours.

VPK providers have flexibility in structuring the hours per day and days per week to meet the required instructional hours.
For example, if a program is 180 days (similar to a school-year calendar), it would offer 3 hours of instruction each day to
meet the 540-hour requirement. A provider could also choose to offer a 6 hour-per-day program for 90 days. Providers may
consider other options, including offering a morning or afternoon program or having a program for 2 or 3 days a week
instead of every day.
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(6) Which private providers are eligible to offer the VPK program?
Each private provider must be a licensed child care facility, a licensed family day care home (registered homes are not
eligible), a licensed large family child care home, or a nonpublic school or faith-based child care provider that is exempt
from licensure. Each private provider must also:

OPTION 1. Be accredited by an accrediting association that is a member of the National Council for Private School
Accreditation (http://www.ncpsa.org), the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (http://www.
citaschools.org), or the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools (http://www.faans.org);

OPTION 2. Hold a current Gold Seal Quality Care designation; or

OPTION 3. Be a licensed child care provider and demonstrate to the early learning coalition
that the provider meets the VPK program requirements, including, but not limited to, credentials and background
screenings of instructors, minimum and maximum class sizes, director credentials, and developmentally appropriate
curriculum.
Unlicensed family day care homes and informal child care providers are not eligible to participate in the program.
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(7) Which public providers are eligible to offer the VPK program?
To deliver the school-year VPK program, a school district must be approved by the Department of Education as reducing
the districts average class sizes and having sufficient educational facilities and capital outlay funds. The Department of
Education is scheduled to verify which school districts have met these requirements in March 2005. Once approved, each
eligible school district shall choose which public schools may offer the program, and those schools are required to
register with the local early learning coalition. Every school district is required by law to deliver the summer VPK program
for every eligible child wanting to participate.
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(8) When will I be able to select a provider?
Before you can select a provider, providers must apply and be found eligible to offer the VPK program. The provider
eligibility process has just begun. When this process is complete, you will be able to choose a provider through the Early
Learning Coalition. By completing the pre-application form at www.vpkflorida.org, you have submitted your contact
information to your local coalition so they may contact you regarding the full application process at the appropriate time.
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(9) How many children may each private provider serve in the VPK program?
The VPK program places no limit on the number of children served by each provider. It is each providers decision of how
many children to serve.
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(10) Will providers be able to turn away children requesting to enroll in the VPK program?
Florida law prohibits VPK providers from discriminating against children or their parents on the ground of race, color, or
national origin, including the refusal to admit a child to the VPK program.
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(11) How much does it cost to enroll in a VPK program?
The VPK program is FREE for 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 for programs or care that are not part of the VPK program.
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(12) Will the VPK program provide transportation?
No. Florida law specifies that each parent is responsible for the transportation of his or her child to and from the VPK
program. Some VPK providers may offer transportation services, and families are encouraged to explore these options
before choosing a VPK provider.
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(13) Do I have to enroll my eligible child in the VPK program?
No. The VPK program is voluntary.