A Bright Future Begins Here

About Voluntary Prekindergarten

Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is a free program for 4 year olds in Florida that sparks connections. With high-quality programs, small class sizes, and expert teachers, VPK creates a strong foundation for learning and lifelong growth.

 

VPK gives children a jump start by preparing them for school and enhancing their skill in:

Pre-Reading icon Pre-Reading
Pre-Math icon Pre-Math
Language icon Language
Social Skills icon Social Skills

Who Qualifies for VPK?

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  • All 4 and 5 year old children, regardless of family income, who reside in Florida.

  • Participating children must be 4 years of age on or before September 1.

  • Children with developmental needs may be eligible for VPK Specialized Instructional Services (VPK-SIS).

    See more details
  • Children with disabilities, those who are homeless and children in foster care are also eligible to apply.

Requirements To Enroll

Florida Residents icon

Must Be a Florida Resident

To enroll in VPK, you must provide proof of residency, such as a current lease or a recent utility bill.

Florida Residents icon

Must Meet Age Requirement

Be 4 years old on or before September 1st of the current school year.

Easy Steps to Enroll

  • Create an account in the Family Portal

  • Complete the online application

  • Submit proof of age documents

  • Submit proof of residency documents

  • Application review

    Applications are processed in the order received and may take up to 10 business days. You will receive an email notification once your application has been reviewed.

  • Receive your Certificate of Eligibility
    Once approved, your VPK Certificate of Eligibility will be available for download and printing from the VPK portal where you submitted your application.

  • Enroll your child at the VPK provider of your choice

Transfers and Re-Enrollment

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  • Eligibility to Transfer
    If your child has attended 70% or less of their VPK program, you may transfer or re-enroll them with a new provider under approved circumstances (e.g., moving to a new residence).
  • Multiple Transfers
    If your child changes VPK providers more than once, you must provide specific documentation to support the reason for each transfer.

How to Re-Apply

Complete the online VPK re-enrollment application in the Family Portal and submit it to the Coalition for review. For more information, call the CCR&R Parent Line at (407) 960-2468.

VPK Program Options

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Choosing a VPK Provider

VPK programs are available through a variety of providers, giving families flexibility to choose the best fit for their child. Each provider sets their own schedule while meeting the program’s overall requirements.

VPK Providers Include:

Families Can Choose From Among the Following Three Programs:

  • Program 1

    540 School Instruction hours with a class size of up to 20 children.

  • Program 2

    300 Summer Instruction hours with a class size of up to 12 children.

  • Program 3

    Specialized Instructional Services (SIS) for children with special needs with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Hours will vary.

Specialized Instructional Services (SIS)

SIS Instruction Photo

VPK Specialized Instructional Services (VPK SIS) supports 4 year olds with unique developmental needs by fostering meaningful learning connections outside a traditional classroom. Approved providers offer specialized instruction based on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), ensuring high-quality support.

SIS Services

Applied Behavior Analysis Applied Behavior Analysis
Speech Language Pathology Speech Language Pathology
Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy Physical Therapy
Listening and Spoken Language Instruction Listening and Spoken Language Instruction
Other Specialized Instructional Services Other Specialized Instructional Services

About VPK SIS Providers

The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has approved the following professionals to be VPK SIS providers:

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  • Individuals certified or licensed for applied behavior analysis
  • Licensed speech-language pathologists
  • Licensed occupational therapists
  • Licensed physical therapists
  • Licensed clinical social workers
  • Licensed psychologists
  • Other licensed professionals who have applied to and been approved by FDOE

SIS Eligibility

Step 1

Children who live in Florida.

Step 2

Meet the age requirements for VPK.

Step 3

Have a current Individualized Education Program (IEP) from their local school district.

Apply for VPK SIS

For more information:

Call the Warm-line at (407) 960-2481 or visit the Florida Department of Education

FAQs

Yes, The county on the COE does not have to match the provider’s county because the child has been deemed eligible to participate in the VPK program. The enrollment process automatically updates the child’s county for service to the provider’s county so the corresponding early learning coalition may manage the child’s enrollment with the provider. If provider has a question, they may contact their early learning coalition.

Download the certificate from your VPK portal and give it to any VPK-approved providers of your choice. The VPK program is offered by the Seminole County public schools and private VPK providers. To register at a public school, visit Seminole County Public Schools VPK using the link below and follow the instructions. To enroll with a private VPK provider, contact the provider directly.

 

Visit Seminole County Public Schools VPK

Yes, if your child is born between February 2 and September 1 and has not used any program hours, and not enrolled in kindergarten, you have the option to postpone until the next school year. Log in to your VPK portal account to request postponement for your existing certificate. For more information, please contact our VPK enrollment specialist at (407) 960-2468.

No, you may enroll for either the Fall or the Summer program, but not for both. Under extreme hardship, which requires supporting documents, a child may withdraw from their initial provider and reenroll at a summer VPK provider if they have not completed 70% or more of a VPK program hours.

You must carefully read, understand, and sign the provider’s policy regarding attendance. This policy may include clauses relating to absences, tardiness, daily sign-in/out, monthly verification, and/or hours of instruction.