:: Who is eligible?
Any child that lives in Florida who turns 4 years of age by September 1, 2010, is eligible for the 2010-2011 school-year VPK program.

:: Who will be providing VPK services during the school year?
Private and public providers will be offering the VPK program during the school-year and the summer. Families may choose the provider that best meets their needs.

:: When does the program begin?
The school-year VPK starts in the Fall. Families should contact the provider of their choice for individual program information.

:: How do I register?
Please visit the registation sites for more information.

:: How many hours per day will my child attend the VPK program?
The school-year VPK program consists of 540 hours of instructional time. We encourage you to contact the VPK provider of your choice to inquire about individual program details. VPK providers have flexibility in structuring the hours per day and days per week to meet the required instructional hours. For example, if a program is 180 days (similar to a school-year calendar), it would offer 3 hours of instruction each day to meet the 540-hour requirement. A Provider could also choose to offer a 6 hour-per-day program for 90 days. Providers may consider other options, including offering a morning or afternoon program or having a program for 2 or 3 days a week instead of every day.

:: Are there additional costs for my child to attend?
The school-year VPK program provides 540 hours of instructional time FREE to families. Additional child care services provided outside of the VPK hours will be at a cost to families. You should speak with your selected VPK provider to inquire about child care rates.

:: Is transportation available?
No. Florida law specifies that families are responsible for transportation to and from the VPK program.

:: How many children will be in a classroom?
During the school-year VPK, the minimum requirement is four (4) children and the maximum is 18. There must be a teacher for every 10 children. For example, a classroom of 11 or more children would have two teachers.

:: What are the qualifications of the VPK teachers?
At least one teacher must hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and must have completed a 5-hour emergent literacy training course. Click here to find out more about teacher credentials.

:: Am I required to enroll my child in a VPK Program?
No, the program is voluntary but if your child participates in the VPK  program he or she must be made available for assessment during the first 30 days of kindergarten whether they are attending public or private schools.  Click here for more information.