VPK

FOR PROVIDERS

LITTLE GIRL DRAWING

The Florida Department of Education, through the Division of Early Learning, oversees the program at the State level, while the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County (ELPBC) administers the program locally. Licensed child care programs (Private Child Care Providers, Public Schools, accredited Private Schools, Family Child Care Homes, and Faith Based Providers) may enter into a contract with the Early Learning Coalition to offer the program if they meet the contractual requirements. This gives child care programs and schools an opportunity to serve the community and also participate in quality programs and initiatives through the Early Learning Coalition.

The School Year program must be 540 instructional hours, which is usually a half-day program and the Summer program must be 300 instructional hours. Eligible Providers can set their own schedule of these VPK instructional hours, as long as they fall within the established parameters. School Year programs can be offered starting on the first day Palm Beach County Public Schools (PBCSD) begins and ending by June 30th. Summer Programs can begin as early as May 1 and must end before the PBCSD calendar begins for the School Year. During the School Year, many providers schedule 3 or 4 hour VPK programs and the parents choose to pay tuition for additional child care beyond the VPK hours. VPK providers can not require supplemental fees associated with the VPK program.

  • Benefits of being VPK Provide include:

    • Support the families you serve by providing access to free high-quality prekindergarten 
    • Professional development and training opportunities available for Teachers and Directors in topics aligned with best practice for Early Childhood Education 
    • Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observations provided to measure quality child-teacher interactions that guide professional development strategies 
    • Access to Age of Learning: App-based technology that allows students personalized math and reading activities. Age of Learning allows providers to monitor progress and supports children’s readiness with real-time data
    • Other workforce and quality grants and funding offered exclusively to Providers contracted with the ELC 
    • Supports from the ELPBC on Kindergarten Transition

  • Some requirements of to be a VPK Provider include but are not limited to:

    • Meet minimum qualifications and credentials for VPK directors and teachers 
    • Use of a curriculum that is developmentally appropriate, supports learning gains through differentiated instructions and is designed to enhance the progress of students attaining the State’s performance standards 
    • Liability insurance coverage and worker’s compensation insurance (if required by state) 
    • Participation in E-Verify
    • A Provider Profile in the Division of Early Learning’s Provider Portal (information is used referred to families for Child Care Resource and Referral) 
    • Minimum health & safety requirements 
    • Participation in state approved assessment tools
    • To see examples of the contracts needed for VPK providers, please visit: https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/providers/vpk-adopted-forms.stml

  • VPK Specialized Instructional Services (SIS) Education Program

    Takes place outside a traditional classroom setting and is designed for 4-year-olds with special needs who have current individualized educational plans from local school districts.


    The VPK Specialized Educational Services or VPK SIS is available for age-eligible children with disabilities as evidenced by a current individual educational plan (IEP). The Department of Education approves SIS providers whose services meet statutory standards, maintains a list of approved providers, and notifies each school district and early learning coalition of the approved provider list.  VPK SIS providers with questions, contact us at 561-214-8000.