What is VPK?
Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program is free instruction available to all 4-year-old children. The Office of Early Learning provides funding to Early Learning Coalitions like us to help prepare your child for school. You may choose from a variety of providers who participate in the program, based on your child’s needs. The VPK program is for children who are 4 that were born on or before September 1st.
Voluntary Prekindergarten is offered by many providers through the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia, including Volusia County Schools. If your child is a resident of Volusia County and will be 4 years of age before September 1st, he or she may be a candidate.
Is VPK mandatory?
Sending your child to VPK in Volusia County is not mandatory, but many people do take advantage of the opportunity. The part time program will help your child get ready for attending kindergarten full time.
Options I need Options!
You can choose the location and the timing of your child’s Voluntary Prekindergarten experience – public or private. Other flexible options include school year VPK – 540 hours of classroom learning or summer VPK – 300 hours of educational learning.
Wrap Around Care – Yes, VPK is free. For 540 instructional school hours each academic, many VPK’s run a three hour day. You then have the option of picking your child up, or exploring extended care or wrap around care options for an additional fee. Some schools offer wrap-around care till the end of the elementary school day (according to Volusia County) and some offer care until the end of the work day. Please make this a priority to inquire at your school of choice.
What are the Benefits to VPK?
Early childhood education is important and VPK is a great way for parents, like you, to gain easy access to the success it offers for you children even before they head off to kindergarten. In case, you aren’t sure, let’s explore the benefits of VPK, both tangible and intangible.
- In the structured learning environment of VPK, your child will increase his or her attention span as well as the ability to follow directions, a great plus when entering the more formal setting of kindergarten.
- In VPK, studies have shown children emerge better prepared for kindergarten – 79 percent are kindergarten ready versus 55 percent of non-VPK students.
- Literacy and language skills are a large part of VPK standards which helps your child develop better social skills (and less behavioral issues) when entering kindergarten and builds a strong foundation for the future.
- Children who participate in VPK programs score higher on the School Readiness test. In addition, the readiness scores continue to rise as do future success measures for these children.
- VPK teaching and fun make education entertaining and will instill a lifetime love of learning in your child.
- The early exposure to literature included in VPK helps your child develop a love of reading and language and promotes higher reading levels throughout school.
- In VPK, your child will learn to play and work together with his or her peers.
- Children in VPK programs show greatest improvement in their math, reading, and social skills.
- In the first five years of your child’s life, 90 percent of core brain structure is formed; VPK standards work to enhance that formation particularly in language, math, and reading – the building blocks of education.
Are all VPK’s the same? How do I check out who offers VPK in my area?
You have the ability to choose which place you want to send your child to for VPK, choosing from a list of approved providers. Link coming soon!
What do I look for in a VPK from a parent perspective!
Great question! For more things you should consider when choosing a VPK, check out this interview I did with Ms. Pat Quigley, Director of Inspirations Learning Center.
Can I change my mind about VPK Providers?
Yes, but only once! Parents with a child who has attended no more than 70 percent of the VPK program may choose to reenroll their child with a new VPK provider if the reason for the re-enrollment meets one of the approved circumstances (e.g., change of residence). If the child changes VPK providers more than once, the parent has to provide specific documentation to support the reason for the change. To do this, the parent or guardian must complete a re-enrollment application on the Family Portal.
Now What?
The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia County administers the VPK program in our area.
