VPK Round Up

VPK (Voluntary Pre Kindergarten) Information

Voluntary Prekindergarten or VPK gives children a jump start by preparing them for school and enhancing their pre-reading, pre-math, language and social skills. If you live in Florida and have a child who turns 4 years of age by September 1, your child is eligible for Florida’s FREE VPK program.

Our VPK Program is Monday through Thursday 9:00am to 1:00pm

What is VPK?

VPK stands for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. If you live in Florida, and your child turns 4 four years of age by September 1, your child is eligible to participate in Florida's FREE Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) education program.

• The most important growth and development in the brain happens by the age of five.
• The early years are the learning years. A child’s ability to be attentive and to follow directions emerges in the early years. Structured early learning fosters these abilities for later success in school and in life.
• Pre-K prepares children to be ready for school. Children who participate in high-quality early childhood education programs develop better language skills, score higher in school-readiness tests and have better social skills and fewer behavioral problems once they enter school. They are also better prepared for Kindergarten, especially in the areas of pre-reading, pre-math and social skills.
• Pre-K promotes a love of learning in children. Pre-K enhances what a child learns at home and instills a love of life-long learning.

Highlights of the VPK Program

FREE for all children who live in Florida and who turn 4 years of age by September 1

• No registration fee
• Parents may choose a participating private child care or public school provider
• Early language and literacy focus

• Focuses on reading, writing and social skills
• Prepares children to be ready for Kindergarten

VPK Providers

• Parents have the option of choosing the provider that meets their own family’s needs
• Options include: private and faith-based child care centers, private and public schools and licensed family child care homes
• All VPK providers must meet high standards required by law

VPK Tardies and Absences: 

Due to the expectations of kindergarten readiness as specified in the VPK standards and the belief that excessive absences affect learning, a child enrolled in the VPK program at Community Christian Preschool should not be absent more than ten days per school year.  One week vacation may be used as part of these 10 absences.  A written explanation of any absence should be given to the office on the day of the child’s return to school and is required by the County. Any absence longer than 3 days must include a doctor’s note or appropriate supporting documentation.  Habitual tardies or early pick-ups will be referred to the Director for counseling.