| Eligibility
& Application Process |
| 1 |
What
children are eligible for the program?
- The child must turn 4 years old on or before
September 1
- The child must be a Florida Resident
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| 2 |
How
can I enroll my child? Parents or Guardians
may complete this VPK Application or call (727) 547- 5782 to receive
an application by mail.
Parents are required to personally submit their
VPK application.
This can be done by visiting one the CCC offices and meeting with
a CCC representative. Parents/guardians must provide proof of Florida
residency and proof of the child's age during this visit. Appointments
are not necessary.
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| 3 |
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.
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| 4 |
Can children cross county lines to participate
in the VPK program?
YES
The law only requires the child to be a Florida resident.
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| 5 |
Can children
attend more than one VPK Session?
A child may only attend one state paid
Prekindergarten session either during the school year or summer
session.
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| 6 |
Does
my child have to attend a Voluntary Pre K program?
No. Participation
is completely voluntary.
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| 7 |
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.
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| 8 |
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.
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| Voluntary Prekindergarten
Schedule |
| 1 |
What
schools will be offering this program?
Various private preschools,
family child care homes and the public school system have certified
as Voluntary PreKindergarten programs. A listing of the certified
VPK sites can be obtained by contacting the Child Care Resource
and Referral Department of CCC at (727) 547-5750
or by clicking on the Provider List section of this web site. As
new sites are certified, their names are added to the list. Parents
may want to view the listing often as the site may change.
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| 2 |
When will the program begin?
Most fall VPK Programs will begin in August of
each year and summer programs will begin in May. Each provider is
free to choose their own length of core instructional VPK day and
the start and end dates of their program. Please refer to the individual
Provider Profiles under the Provider Listing section of this web
site for the exact start and end dates of each participating VPK
provider.
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| 3 |
(A)
How many times a year will this program be offered?
There are school year (fall) sessions which typically
begin in August or September and a summer session which typically
begins in May of each year.
(B) Can my child attend
both sessions?
No. A child may only attend one session either
the school year (fall) or the summer session.
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| 5 |
If
I need care beyond the 3, 4, or 5 VPK hours will there be transportation
available to take my child to another care setting?
No. There is not state funded transportation
provided for this program. You may wish to choose a program that
has extended hours.
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| 6 |
Is
this just a one time program?
The Voluntary Pre K program is the result of
an amendment to the Constitution of Florida. Although the future
may hold changes, for now the program is here permanently.
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| 7 |
Can a parent
move their child mid session? Parents
and guardians are strongly encouraged to carefully choose a program
that best meets the needs of their child and family situation. A
consistent and stable VPK experience will allow the best opportunity
for the child to be successful in the program and future success
in school. CCC can provide helpful information and tools to assist
parents in making their decision. Parents and guardians may contact
the CCR&R department of CCC and request information be sent
to them. (727) 547-5750.
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| 8 |
What happens
if a parent removes their child from the program for a vacation?
Depending on the length of the vacation
and the Providers’ attendance policy, the parent and child could
lose their opportunity to participate in the VPK program.
Parents must know this before they enroll their child and choose
their VPK program accordingly.
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| Finding a VPK
Provider |
| 1 |
How do parents
find a certified Voluntary Pre K Provider?
If the parent does not already have their child
at a location offering a Voluntary Prekindergarten program, they
may call Child Care Resource and Referral Department of CCC @ (727-547-5750)
and request a list of approved/certified VPK programs. A provider
profile will be provided or they can visit the CCC web site to view
a list of Providers currently certified as VPK providers.
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| 2 |
How
do the parents choose a location for this program?
There are two
methods for a parent to choose a VPK program. First, the preschools
can and should market their programs to recruit parents.
Second, if a parent needs assistance they may
call CCC’s Child Care Resource and Referral office. When a
preschool is approved to provide VPK services they will be asked
to provide a profile of their program. This profile will include
as examples: the hours/days that the VPK program will be offered,
the credentials of the staff, whether they provide extended day
services, the curriculum the preschool offers, and faith based information.
Parents will then be responsible for enrolling their child in one
of the certified VPK programs that still has openings.
You may also view participating providers
by going to the Provider List section of this web site.
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| 3 |
Will faith
based providers be allowed to participate?
Yes, faith based providers may participate in
offering Voluntary Prekindergarten as long as they meet the basic
requirements of staff, curriculum, and other quality indicators
and parents are fully informed in advance of enrollment.
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| 4 |
What if there
is no room in the Voluntary Pre K classroom for my child?
A class may have no more than 18 children in
the classroom during the VPK program school year session; 10 children
during the summer session and no less than 4 children during the
summer and the school session. Once the VPK part of day ends, the
less restrictive licensing regulation for class size and staff ratios
can be followed.
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| Payment and
Fees |
| 1
|
Can the pre-school require registration fees or additional fees for
field trips etc? You as a
parent cannot be refused enrollment due to failure to pay registration
or other fees for the core VPK day.
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| 2
|
Will
4 year old children still be eligible for scholarships from Coordinated
Child Care?
Yes, qualified 4 year old children will
still be eligible for scholarships from Coordinated Child Care based
on program requirements and availability of funding. Low income
families will still need extended care for their children after
the VPK day and scholarships will cover this part of their care.
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| 3
|
How
will VPK impact the children that are currently funded by Coordinated
Child Care Scholarships and lose their eligibility mid year?
The Board of The Early Learning Coalition passed
a resolution two years ago that states “ Qualified 4 year old children
who become ineligible for federal funded scholarships during their
last year before kindergarten enrollment will continue to receive
care paid for by the Coalition/Coordinated Child Care until the
end of the school year and depending on availability of funding”.
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| 4
|
Who
will pay for those remaining hours? Parents
are responsible for paying for any additional hours of care they
require beyond the VPK day. If eligible (low income), parents may
apply for extended day scholarships through Coordinated Child Care
of Pinellas. (727) 547-5782
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