Voluntary PreKindergarten
Florida’s free Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program is designed to prepare all four-year-olds for kindergarten and build the foundation for their educational success. All children who turn 4 years old on or before September 1st and reside in Florida are eligible. Families do not have to meet income criteria to participate in this program.
Parents have the option of enrolling children in a school-year program that is typically a half-day or a full-day summer program. Specialized Instructional Services (SIS) which takes place outside the traditional classroom setting are available for 4-year-olds with special needs.
VPK provides a play-based learning experience that supports the development of early literacy, executive functioning and social emotional skills. According to the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener, children who participate in VPK are better prepared for success in school.

Program Types
SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAM
LENGTH
540 instructional hours, average 3-6 hours per day. Before and after care is available with most VPK providers
SETTINGS
Private Childcare
Providers
Public Schools
Head Start
CLASS SIZE
4-20
children
INSTRUCTORS
Must have a minimum of a
Child Development Associate
(CDA) or higher. A second adult
is required for classes of 12 or
more children
SUMMER PROGRAM
LENGTH
300 instructional hours, average
6-8 hours per day. Before- and
after-care is available with most
VPK providers
SETTINGS
Private Childcare
Providers, Public
Schools, and Head
Start
CLASS SIZE
4-12
children
INSTRUCTORS
Certified Teacher or Bachelor’s
or higher degree in an early
learning field
FULL-DAY WRAP CARE SCHOLARSHIP
FOR
Non-working or low-income
families who may not meet
income or job requirements for
School Readiness scholarships.
SETTINGS
Provided by select
high-quality early
learning centers
throughout Pinellas
County.
LENGTH
Provides access to full-day, full-year scholarships for school year and summer care. Available only to VPK-eligible children ages 4 – 5.
INSTRUCTORS
Certified teacher
or other degree in an early
learning field.
VPK REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE
2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR
How to Register
All VPK Registration is done online via the Florida’s Early Learning Family Portal.
Any child who is four years old on or before September 1st is eligible for the upcoming program year.
For example, if your child was born between September 2, 2016 and September 1, 2017, your child is eligible for the 2021-2022 School Year VPK program.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to register online, you must be able to upload the required documents individually.
Once you submit or resubmit the VPK application form, it will be processed within 10 business days. You will receive confirmation as to whether your application has been approved or rejected by email to the email address list on the application form. The time-frame to process a VPK application is the same as the Pinellas County School Board student reservation system.
This information is for those families who have also applied separately to the Pinellas County School Board VPK group in order to have their child attend VPK at a school board site. If you have any questions regarding the Pinellas County School’s VPK process please contact them directly at 588-6513 for assistance. If you have any other VPK questions concerning your Family Portal application please contact the VPK team at 400-4411.
Thank you!
Registration Resources
Step by Step App Guide
Step by Step Application Guide
Step by Step App Guide
Step by Step Application Guide – Spanish
One-Sheet Application Guide (English)
One-Sheet Application Guide (English)
One-Sheet Application Guide (Spanish)
One-Sheet Application Guide (Spanish)
VIDEO: How to Apply for VPK
VIDEO: How to Apply for VPK
VIDEO: Why VPK?
VIDEO: Why VPK?
VPK Family Portal
Visit Your Family Portal
Get School Listing from CCR&R
Get School Listing from CCR&R
View VPK and School Readiness Registration Guide and FAQ
VPK and School Readiness Registration
Guide and FAQ
VIEW VPK HANDBOOK
View VPK Handbook (FL OEL)
VPK Flyer
VPK Flyer
FAQ’s
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECEIVE THE VPK CERTIFICATE ONCE I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?
WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN APPROPRIATE CAUSE TO DIS-ENROLL A CHILD?
IF A PARENT CHOOSES TO NOT ENROLL THEIR CHILD IN VPK WILL IT PRESENT A PROBLEM WHEN THE CHILD ENTERS KINDERGARTEN?
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO ATTEND A VOLUNTARY PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM?
CAN CHILDREN ATTEND MORE THAN ONE VPK SESSION?
CAN CHILDREN CROSS COUNTY LINES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VPK PROGRAM?
WILL THERE BE AN ENROLLMENT DEADLINE?
HOW DO I CHECK THE STATUS OF MY ONLINE VPK APPLICATION?
- If you have not received an email you should check your SPAM email as occasionally the VPK online emails are directed there.
- You can also log back into your account to see the status of your application.
- If then you are unable to locate any communication regarding your application you may call our VPK Online Specialists at 727-400-4411.
HOW CAN I ENROLL MY CHILD?
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE VOLUNTARY PREKINDERGARTEN (VPK) PROGRAM?
- Any child who is four-years-old on or before September 1st
- The child who is a Florida resident.
WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED AN APPROPRIATE CAUSE TO DIS-ENROLL A CHILD?
The following are examples of appropriate reasons for dis-enrolling your child: medical reasons, job transfer, and changing home address.
IF A PARENT CHOOSES TO NOT ENROLL THEIR CHILD IN VPK WILL IT PRESENT A PROBLEM WHEN THE CHILD ENTERS KINDERGARTEN?
No, participation is completely voluntary. Many parents choose to provide school readiness activities at home.
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO ATTEND A VOLUNTARY PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM?
No, participation is completely voluntary.
CAN CHILDREN ATTEND MORE THAN ONE VPK SESSION?
A child may only attend one state paid VPK session either during the school year or summer session.
CAN CHILDREN CROSS COUNTY LINES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VPK PROGRAM?
Yes, the law only requires the child to be a Florida resident. Parents/Guardians must register their children for VPK in the county that they are planning to attend in.Example: if the child resides in Pinellas County but would like to attend VPK in Pasco County, the parent must register for VPK through the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, Inc.
WILL THERE BE AN ENROLLMENT DEADLINE?
Enrollment is continuous but after a certain date in the school session enrollment may stop and then children will be considered for another session.
HOW DO I CHECK THE STATUS OF MY ONLINE VPK APPLICATION?
All VPK online applications will be processed in the order they were submitted. Please allow time for the ELC staff to review your application and process it in order for you receive your certificate.
- If you have not received an email you should check your SPAM email as occasionally the VPK online emails are directed there.
- You can also log back into your account to see the status of your application.
- If then you are unable to locate any communication regarding your application you may call our VPK Online Specialists at 727-400-4411.
HOW CAN I ENROLL MY CHILD?
Parents or Legal guardians can register here.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE VOLUNTARY PREKINDERGARTEN (VPK) PROGRAM?
- Any child who is four-years-old on or before September 1st
- The child who is a Florida resident.
I AM AN ACTIVE ELC CLIENT WITH A CHILD IN SR SERVICES BUT I DON'T HAVE A FAMILY PORTAL ACCOUNT.
Please contact the ELC Portal Helpdesk at portal.helpdesk@elcpinellas.org. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.
I AM AN ACTIVE ELC CLIENT WITH A CHILD CURRENTLY IN SR SERVICES. I ALREADY HAVE A FAMILY PORTAL ACCOUNT, BUT I CAN’T REMEMBER MY USER NAME.
Please contact the ELC Portal Helpdesk at portal.helpdesk@elcpinellas.org. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.
HOW WILL THE ELC CONTACT ME?
The primary method of contact will be by email. We may also need to reach you by phone. Therefore, please make sure that ELC always has your current email address and phone number.
IF I ALREADY HAVE AN EXISTING VPK ACCOUNT, CAN I USE THAT SAME ACCOUNT FOR SCHOOL READINESS SERVICES?
Please log on to the Family Portal account you have already created. If you are experiencing difficulties, please contact the ELC Portal Helpdesk at portal.helpdesk@elcpinellas.org. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.
I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A SCANNER OR NEED ASSISTANCE UPLOADING DOCUMENTS.
Please visit either our Clearwater or St. Petersburg locations to utilize the kiosks.
HOW DO I RE-CERTIFY?
- Log on to your Family Portal account.
- Under the School Readiness Applications section, click on “Verify Eligibility” blue button.
- You will be directed to the Eligibility Wizard. Click start to begin the process.
- When you reach the end of the application, please sign electronically exactly as your name appears on the record and click “Submit Eligibility Verification”.
- Once the ELC completes your re-certification, you will receive an email directing you back to the Family Portal. Log into the Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section you will click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s). Please Note: If you don’t receive the email, you can still log into the Family Portal and complete the process.
- You will be asked to read and accept to the Parental Rights and Responsibilities/Terms and Conditions. Please sign electronically the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
I AM UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION WIZARD. HOW DO I UPLOAD MY DOCUMENTS?
- If you see a blue box stating, “Additional information is needed,” then you will need to upload documents in order to complete the section. Click on “No, I need to update the information”.
- The “Edit” button will appear for you to select.
- The next screen will give you the prompt to “Upload Document".
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY RE-CERTIFICATION IS COMPLETE? MY CHILD IS NOT SHOWING UP ON MY PROVIDER’S ATTENDANCE ROSTER.
- Log in to Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section, you will see “Pending Family Acceptance” under the Enrollment Status. Click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s).
- You will be asked to read and accept the Parental Rights and Responsibilities/Terms and Conditions. Please sign electronically the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
- Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
- Please Note: If you do not sign off on the Payment Certificate, your provider’s payments may be effected. It is imperative that you complete the process ASAP.
HOW DO I DO A TRANSFER FROM ONE PROVIDER TO ANOTHER?
- Download and print the Child Transfer Form.
- Complete the Transfer form with your current and new providers.
- Fax completed form to 727-400-4486 or drop off at one of the ELC locations.
- Once ELC has completed the transfer, you will need to sign the Payment Certificate in order for your child to show up on the new provider’s attendance roster. Log into the Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section you will click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s)
- You will be asked to read and accept the Parental Rights and Responsibilities/Terms and Conditions. Please electronically sign the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
- Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
- Please Note: If you do not sign off on the Payment Certificate, your provider’s payments may be effected. It is imperative that you complete the process ASAP.
I HAVE SUBMITTED MY TRANSFER FORM IN, BUT HOW DO I KNOW WHEN IT’S COMPLETE? MY CHILD IS NOT SHOWING UP ON THE NEW PROVIDER’S ATTENDANCE ROSTERS.
- Once ELC has completed the transfer, you will need to sign the Payment Certificate in order for your child to show up on the new provider’s attendance roster. Log into the Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section you will click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s).
- You will be asked to read and accept the Parental Rights and Responsibilities/Terms and Conditions. Please electronically sign the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
- Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
- Please Note: If you do not sign off on the Payment Certificate, your provider’s payments may be effected. It is imperative that you complete the process ASAP.
HOW DO I TEMPORARILY SUSPEND MY CHILD’S CARE?
- If eligible for a temporary termination, download and print the Temporary Termination Request form.
- Complete the Temporary Termination form with your current provider.
- Fax completed form to 727-400-4486 or drop off at one of the ELC locations.
WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER?
If you need access to a computer, please reach out to your provider (or prospected provider) for assistance and computer access. Many providers have been given computers or tablets to help families finalize applications.
If your provider cannot aid you, please call the ELC for guidance on next steps. Call 727-400-4411.
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