What is VPK?
VPK stands for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. If you live in Florida, and your child will turn 4 by Sept. 1, your child is eligible to participate in Florida’s FREE Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) education program. Enrollment is limited at Polk County Public Schools sites throughout the county.
Benefits of the VPK program:
- The most important growth and development in the brain happens by the age of 5. The structured learning provided in VPK fosters children’s ability to be attentive and to follow directions, skills that will be needed for later success in school and life.
- VPK prepares children to be ready for school. Children who participate in high-quality early childhood education programs develop better language skills, score higher on 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.
- VPK promotes a love of learning in children.
Need Help?
Preschool Programs
VPK Locations & Contact Information
2020 Summer VPK
Location: Highlands Grove Elementary, 4510 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, 33813
To receive a Summer VPK application electronically, please send an email to vpkapplication@polk-fl.net with SUMMER in the subject line.
How to Enroll in a Public School VPK Program
Step 1: Obtain your VPK Certificate of Eligibility
Obtain and print out your child’s VPK (Voluntary PreKindergarten) Certificate of Eligibility by visiting the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County’s website at elcpolk.org/parents/vpk or by calling 863-577-2450.
To be eligible for the VPK Program your child
- must be 4-years-old on or before September 1, 2020
- must reside in the State of Florida
Documents needed:
- Child’s birth certificate
- Proof of residency
Step 2: Review PCPS Program school locations for available program options
- All programs require 2020-21 VPK Certificate of Eligibility issued by State of Florida for Polk.
- No transportation is provided
- Program options are limited to specific service locations.
1. Full School Day: Extend the VPK day by paying a fee of $12 per day (monthly payment $216).
- Payment agreement with signature and first month’s payment ($216)
- PCSB employees – requires auto payment withdrawal plan
2. Part day VPK: Part day program (3 hours in AM or PM) at no cost to parents
3. Title 1 PK: Limited to federally sponsored locations. This is full day program at no cost to parent that must present two official documents as proof of residence within the specific school zone identified as a Title 1 PK grant location.
Step 3: Complete and submit the Polk County Schools Preschool Programs application
*Application cannot be completed or submitted electronically
Fill out and submit the completed application, documents, and make applicable payments at
Location:
Polk County Schools Woodlake Center – Preschool Programs
3425 New Jersey Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
Phone: 863-648-3051
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday, 8 am – 4 pm
Documents needed:
- Original VPK Certificate of Eligibility (issued for Polk) signed and dated
- Copy of child’s certified Birth Certificate (not hospital record)
- Parent/Guardian picture ID
- Proof of Residence (two documents) must include name and current street address
- If choosing Full School Day option – Payment agreement and 1st payment
Additional documents needed for:
VPK full school day (fee for extended day): Depending upon parental requests for VPK services, some schools will provide a full school day of service for a fee of $12 per day for 180 days. The payment agreement is $216 per month for 10 months – prorated for days of service. To reserve your child’s full-day space, the first payment is required prior to acceptance into the program.
Step 4: If your child is selected for enrollment ...
You will receive a Polk County Public Schools Preschool Programs acceptance letter by mail or email. The letter of acceptance will provide you with the name of school, time of service and information on how to enroll your child at the school.
- VPK Certificate of Eligibility issued by the State of Florida Office of Early Learning cannot be taken to public school offices for enrollment purposes.
- Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program, a particular school or session.
Individual schools cannot accept applications. For information on space availability, additional questions, and to submit the completed applications contact:
