| Provider
Related Questions |
| 1 |
How do I become an approved
VPK Provider?
You will need to submit a two part application.
One VPK – 10 is required for each site and one VPK – 11 is required
for each classroom.
Top
of Page |
| 2 |
Where
can I locate the VPK – 10 and VPK -11 forms?
Click on VPK Provider Information.
You will have access to both the VPK -10 and VPK -11 forms and instructions
for completing the forms. You may complete the forms on line, but
you will have to print a hard copy to submit to Coordinated Child
Care of Pinellas, Inc. (CCC)
-Or-
You may call Coordinated Child Care of Pinellas,
Inc. (CCC) at (727) 547-2923 to request
these forms be mailed to you.
Top
of Page |
| 3 |
Once I have completed forms VPK- 10 and VPK- 11 where do I send them?
Coordinated
Child Care of Pinellas, Inc.
Attention: Provider Services Department
6500 102nd Ave N
Pinellas Park, Florida 33782
Top
of Page |
| 4 |
Is
there anything else I should send with my application?
Yes
To help expedite the process you will want to
submit copies of the following with your application:
- Certificate of Accreditation (if applicable)
- Educational credentials for all VPK teachers
- Proof of 5.0 hour literacy training attended
by VPK teachers
(If applicable)
- Background screening information for all VPK
teachers
- FBI Letter
- FDLE Report
- Local screening
- Affidavit of Good Moral Character
- Verification of work history
Top
of Page |
| 5 |
What can I expect to happen next? If your
application is complete, you will be notified and two VPK Agreements
will be mailed to you. Please sign both copies and return them to
CCC. One will be returned to you after the Executive Director of
the Early Learning Coalition has signed. We will contact you if
additional information is required.
Top of Page |
| 6 |
How long must a program commit to being a VPK Provider?
Best practices would suggest that a provider complete
the current VPK session before discontinuing the program.
Top
of Page |
| 7 |
If
I must discontinue my VPK program, what is the process? Coordinated
Child Care of Pinellas, Inc. should receive written notice at least
30 days prior to the closing of your program. Parents will need
notification and children will need to be transferred to another
VPK provider.
Top of Page |
The Voluntary Prekindergarten Schedule
|
|
1 |
How many hours must a VPK program operate?
VPK programs that operate during the public school year must consist
of 540 hours, no more, no less. Programs operating during the summer
must consist of 300 hours, no more, no less.
What about daily hours?
This decision is up to you. Many providers are choosing to operate
a 3.0 hour per day schedule. However, some have chosen a 4, 5, or
even a 6 hour day.
Top
of Page |
|
2 |
How
many days must I operate my program to meet the 540 hour requirement?
3.0 hours per day = 180 day program
4.0 hours per day = 135 day program
5.0 hours per day = 108 day program
6.0 hours per day = 90 day program
Top of Page |
| 3 |
How
do I calculate the number of hours my program is operating?
Use the chart above to
determine how many days your program must operate based on your
hours per day total. Take your start date and begin counting days
you offer VPK until you reach your end date. Be sure to subtract
the holidays you have identified on the VPK-11 forms. If you have
too few or too many hours, you will need to adjust your start and/or
end date or revise your holiday schedule.
Top of Page |
| 4 |
Are
there any restrictions to start and end dates? Class
Schedules for the VPK Program # OEL-PI-0034-06
Definition of VPK School Year
Begins August 1 and ends the following June 30, both dates inclusive.
School Year Programs
A school year program may not begin instruction more than 14 days before Labor Day and must be completed by June 30th
Summer Programs
May not begin before May 1, summer programs must complete 300 instructional hours before
the start of the public school year.
Top of Page |
| 5 |
Does a VPK program have to be offered daily? No,
you can choose to offer a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or some other
configuration of days, but the total program must consist of 540
hours or 300 for summer programs and your daily instructional hours
must be consistent (i.e. 3, 4, 5, or 6 hours).
Top of Page |
| |
| 1 |
What
requirements must VPK teachers meet in a 540 hour program?
The lead teach must have a
Or
Hold one of the following:
-
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in early childhood education,
prekindergarten or primary education, preschool education, or
family and consumer science.
-
Bachelors or higher degree in elementary
education, with Florida certification to teach children any
age from birth through age 6. The certification does not have
to be current.
-
An Associate’s or higher degree in child
development
-
An Associate’s or higher degree in an unrelated
field, with at least six (6) hours in early childhood education
or child development and at least 480 hours of experience teaching
or providing care of children birth through 8 years of age.
-
An educational credential approved by the
Department of Education as being equivalent or greater to the
educational credential described above.
The assistant teacher must possess a high
school diploma or GED certificate.
Top of Page |
| 2 |
Are
the teacher requirements different for a 300 hour summer program?
Yes, teachers must have a Florida Educator’s
Certificate or one of the following:
A Bachelor’s or higher degree in early childhood
education, prekindergarten or primary education, preschool education
or family and consumer science.
A Bachelor’s or higher degree in elementary education,
if the instructor has been certified in Florida to teach children
any age from birth through 6th grade regardless of whether the instructor’s
educator certificate is current.
Top of Page |
| 3 |
Are
there any other requirements VPK teachers must meet?
Yes, lead teachers who qualify with a
CDA/CDAE only (i.e. not a higher level degree) must show evidence
that they have completed approved 5.0 hour literacy training and
the 3.0 hour VPK Education Standards training.
Top of Page |
| 4 |
How do I know if a literacy training has been approved?
Go to http://www.myflorida.com/childcaretraining
for a list of approved literacy training. Click on “Early Literacy”,
and then click on “View”.
Top of Page |
| 5 |
If the VPK teacher becomes ill or goes on vacation does his/her replacement
have to meet the same credential requirements?
Yes, teachers must meet at least the minimum qualifications at all
times.
Top of Page |
CDA/CDAE Credential Information
|
| 1 |
Do
teachers who have a CDAE have to renew this credential?
Individuals with a Florida CDAE credential must renew their CDAE
within 5 years after the date the CDAE credential was issued.
Where can I find more information about CDAE renewals?
You can contact the Department of Children and Families Child Care
Credential Unit at 1-866-320-9710.
Or
www.myflorida.com/childcare
Click on “Training Requirements” and “Florida CDAE”. You will find
frequently asked questions related to the CDAE renewal requirements.
Top of Page |
| 2 |
What
is the ratio of children to teachers in a VPK program? Group
Size Information: 4 – 10 Children: 1 Teacher
Number of Children: 11 – 18 Children: 2 Teachers
or one teacher and an assistant/aide
School Year Program Minimum 4 Maximum 18
Summer Program Minimum 4 Maximum 10
Top of Page |
| 3 |
Can I have mixed age group in my VPK program?
Yes, however only children who meet VPK age requirements and have
been certified eligible will receive VPK state funds. VPK child/teacher
ratios must be followed at all times during the VPK instructional
hours. There must still be at least four VPK eligible children in
the group.
Top of Page |
| 4 |
What
curriculum should I use in my VPK classroom(s)?
Providers may design or select their own curriculum. Curriculum
should be developmentally appropriate, and align with Voluntary
Prekindergarten Education Standards for Four – Year –
Old Children.
Top
of Page |
| 5 |
Where can I find information about curriculum and the Early Learning
Standards? www.floridajobs.org/earlylearning
Top of Page |
| 6 |
Is there on-site technical assistance available for questions/concerns
I may have about my VPK program? If you
are subcontracted with Coordinated Child Care your Provider Consultant
is available for technical assistance. If not, please contact the
VPK grant manager at the Early Learning Coalition at
727-548-1439.
Top of Page |
Reporting Changes to Your VPK Program
|
| 1 |
I
have a new lead teacher in my VPK class, what do I need to do?
You will need to complete a “VPK”
Change Request Form’. This form is available on the Coordinated
Child Care website at www.childcarepinellas.org
or 727-547-2923 The form is also available
in the VPK Provider Manual.
NOTE: When making a
teacher change in a VPK classroom please mail or fax educational
credentials, background screening information and proof of literacy
training, if applicable.
Top of Page |
| 2 |
What if I have changes to my schedule?
Follow the same procedure above by completing the section titled
“Notification of Schedule Changes.”
Top of Page |
| 3 |
What
if my program has a new site director? The
VPK Change Request Form can be used for this purpose also. If the
previous director signed the VPK state agreement, the new director
will need to sign a new one.
Top of Page |
Eligibility & Enrolling Children
|
| 1 |
What
requirements must a child meet to be eligible for VPK?
-
A child must be four years old by September 1st, of the VPK
school year.
-
A child must be a resident of the State of Florida.
-
Parent / Guardian must apply at CCC and the child must be
certified eligible
-
Children who have been certified eligible must attend an approved
VPK program.
Note: The above must be verified through
a “face to face” contact with CCC staff.
Top of Page |
| 2 |
How do I know if a child has been certified eligible?
When a child is determined to be eligible, a “Certificate of Eligibility”
form (AWI VPK 02) is issued to the parent/guardian. When a family
visits your program and expresses an interest in enrolling, ask
for the Certificate of Eligibility. If the family does not have
this information, direct them to CCC. If they do have it, you may
enroll the child into your VPK program. Keep
the certificate in the child’s file.
Top of Page |
| 3 |
A parent gave me their child’s Certificate of Eligibility but never
started my VPK Program. Now they want their certificate back. What
should I do? If the child never attended
your program you may give the certificate back to them or CCC will
issue another one to the parent/guardian. If the child did begin
your VPK program refer the parent to CCC where they will need to
request a transfer.
Top of Page |
| 4 |
Can
a child live in one county and attend a VPK program in another?
Yes, but the parent/guardian must apply
in the county in which the child will be attending VPK. The Certificate
of Eligibility will be issued from the county in which the child
will be attending VPK.
Top of Page |
| 5 |
Can
I enroll a child after my VPK program start date?
Yes, as long as there is still
10% or more remaining of your program you can enroll children. The
parent/guardian of the child will be required to sign the “Informed
Parental Consent for Delayed Enrollment” form (AWI –VPK 04).
Top of Page |
| 6 |
Can I require a parent to enroll their child in my before and/or after
care program? A private pre-kindergarten
provider or public school may not require a parent to enroll his
or her child in, or require payment of fees or charges for supplemental
services (e.g., “extended-day”, “extended-year”, and “wrap-around”
or “full-day” services) as a condition of admitting the child in
the VPK program.
Top of Page |
| |
| 1 |
How many days can a child be absent from a VPK program?
-
Absences are not payable before child's first day of attendance
-
Providers are paid for excused absences if documentation for all absences provided to contracting agency
-
Providers are paid for up to 3 unexcused absences per child per month
-
Tracking of 15% or 20% for absences is no longer necessary
-
Payment is suspended if child does not attend for at least one instructional day during the calendar month. Payment resumes, including payment for absences acquired while payment was suspended, when child attends the program. If child does not resume attendance, no payment is made past the child's last day of attendance
- Absences for the following reasons are excused:
- Illness or injury of the child or the child's family member which requires hospitalization or bed rest
- Physician or dentist appointment
- Infectious disease or parasitic infestation
- Funeral service, memorial service, or bereavement upon the death of the child's family member
- Compliance with a court order (e.g., visitation, subpoena)
- Special education or related services for the child's disability
- Observance of a religious holiday or service, or because the child's or parents' religion forbids secular activity on the instructional day
- Family vacation, not to exceed five excused absences per program year
- Extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the child and the child's parent
-
Parents may document (parent's note) seven or fewer excused absences per calendar month
-
Beyond seven absences, a person other than the parent must document the reason for the child's absence (i.e. letter from physician)
-
Providers, instead of requesting payment for the temporary closer, may revise class schedule to restore instructional days that the closure affects
Top of Page |
| 2 |
Do
I use a special form to document the attendance of the children in
my VPK program? Yes, the Enrollment/Attendance
Verification form is used for VPK attendance purposes. This form
will be mailed to you each month and will have the children’s names
printed on it.
Top of Page |
| 3 |
Do the parents/guardians verify their child’s attendance?
Yes, parents are required to sign their children in and out each
day and sign form AWI-VPK 03 (Student Attendance and Parental Choice
Certificate) at the end of each month verifying their child’s attendance
in your VPK program.
Top of Page |
|
4 |
Where do I submit my monthly VPK Attendance Roster? When is it due?
Coordinated Child Care of Pinellas, Inc.
Attention: Finance
10601 Belcher Road South
Largo, Florida 33777
Or by Fax (727) 547-2955
Attendance rosters are due by the 3rd of each
month.
Top of Page |
| |
| 1 |
Can a child transfer out of my VPK program and attend another?
Yes, each child is granted one allowable transfer
from one VPK program to another with “good cause”; however, a child
may not transfer to another VPK program if he/she has completed
60% or more of the VPK instructional hours (absences do not count
as completed hours).
Top of Page |
| 2 |
What does “good cause" in the answer above mean?
Some examples of "good cause” are: the facility
is no longer convenient due to a move, teacher/child conflict; parent
is not pleased with the program or any other legitimate reason.
Top of Page |
| 3 |
Is
there a cut off point when I cannot enroll a child into my VPK program??
Yes, a child may not begin a VPK program if there
is less then 10% of VPK instructional hours remaining.
Top of Page |
| 4 |
Does moving a child from on VPK classroom to another within the same
program count as a transfer? No, a child
may change classrooms without it counting as their one allowable
transfer.
Top of Page |
| |
| 1 |
Can I charge parents a fee for registration, activities and/ or supplies?
No, as an approved VPK provider you may not charge
parents any additional fees during the VPK instructional hours.
You may charge for care you provide before or after the VPK instructional
hours.
Top of Page |
| 2 |
How will I be paid and by whom? VPK programs
are paid monthly using an advance payment methodology. Coordinated
Child Care of Pinellas will prepare checks and pay providers. Electronic
Funds Transfers are available to the banking institution of your
choice.
The answers above say I will be paid in advance
for the children in my program.
What happens if a child
leaves my program and I have already received payment?
You will see an adjustment to your next payment.
Top of Page |
Evaluating School Readiness
|
| 1 |
What tool/instrument will be used to evaluate students to determine
their school readiness? The 4 year old
Education Standards were developed based upon the readiness for
kindergarten criteria. If you do not have a copy of these standards
they are downloadable at the web site www.schoolreadiness.org ~ click
on “Resources”.
Top of Page |
| 2 |
What happens if children from a VPK site do not meet the expectations
for School Readiness when they reach kindergarten?
If a VPK provider’s kindergarten readiness rate falls below the
minimum satisfactory rate for two consecutive years, the provider
or school is placed on probation and loses the privilege of selecting
or designing its own curricula. While on probation the provider
must use curricula reviewed and approved by DOE.
Top of Page |
| 3 |
What is the VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate website?
The VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate website displays information related to the VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rates and Improvement process. After the minimum readiness rate is set, VPK providers who do not meet that rate will be notified of their status as a low performing provider and will be required to develop and submit improvements plans.
|
| 4 |
How do I access the readiness rate website?
The website address for the readiness rate is: www.vpk.fldoe.org
Top of Page |
| 5 |
What is the VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate?
The Florida Department of Education/State Board of Education is required by law (Section 1002.69(5), Florida Statutes (F.S.)) to calculate a kindergarten readiness rate every year for each private or public school VPK Provider of either the School-Year (540-hour) or Summer (300-hour)program.
The VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate measures how well a VPK provider prepares four-year-olds to be ready for kindergarten based upon Florida's VPK Education Standards. The VPK Standards describe what four-year-old children should know and be able to do by the end of the VPK experience.
Top of Page |
| 6 |
What information is used to calculate the readiness rate?
The VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate is based on the scores of children who attended VPK and who are screened upon entry into kindergarten. The screening is administered by the districts public schools for all public school kindergarten students. Children who participated in VPK and attended a non-public school for kindergarten are also provided the opportunity to participate in the screening.
Top of Page |
| 7 |
About the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS)
What screener is administered?
The Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener (FLKRS) is made up of a subset of the Early Childhood Observation System (ECHOS), an observational instrument that is used to monitor the skills, knowledge, and behaviors a student demonstrates or needs to develop; and two probes of the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS), Letter Naming Fluency (LNF) and initial Sound Fluency (ISF).
Top of Page |
| 8 |
How is a child's readiness for kindergarten determined by the three FLKRS measures?
Readiness for Kindergarten has been determined to be the following:
ECHOS scores: Consistently Demonstrating or Emerging/Progressing DIBELS LNF and ISF scores: Above Average or Low Risk.
Top of Page |
| 9 |
How is the minimum readiness rate determined?
After the readiness rate has been calculated for all providers, the State Board of Education will set the minim rate readiness rate so that no more than 15% of all VPK providers would fall below the minmum rate. (Section 1002.69(6). F.S.)
Top of Page |
| 10 |
What is a Low Performing Provider?
A Low Performing Provider is a VPK provider whose readiness rate is at or below bottom 15% of all providers readiness rates.
Top of Page |
| |
| 1 |
Where can I find a complete list and explanation of the most current
VPK statewide policies? The Office of
Early Learning policy updates can be found at:
www.floridajobs.org/earlylearning
Click on “Resources” then “Information
Policy Memo” Under Policies click on VPK.
Top of Page |
| 2 |
Are there any local resources that will keep me informed of statewide
VPK policies? Yes, Coordinated Child
Care of Pinellas and the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County
(ELCP) are committed to keeping you up to date with local and statewide
policies affecting VPK. The ELCP publishes a quarterly newsletter,
“VPK News”, available by email. The “VPK News”
also gives information about upcoming training, important dates,
and messages from the Executive Director, Janet Chapman.
If you are not currently on their mailing list
and would like to be, please contact the Early Learning Office at
(727) 548-1439 and ask to be placed on
the “VPK News” email list.
Top of Page |
