group of kids raise hand in prek class in florida with teacher at center Asian female teacher teaching and asking mixed race kids hand up to answer in classroom,Kindergarten pre school concept

How to Enroll Your Child in Florida’s Free VPK in Orlando

Those early years go fast! When you’re ready to enroll your child in Florida’s free VPK program there are two places to start. First, start with the Florida Department of Education Early Learning page. Second, check out your local county’s school district VPK page. 

The Florida Department of Education Early Learning page is not entirely helpful to learn about Free VPK, but it is still good to view as a starting point. Next, check your local county’s school district.

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The counties included in the Orlando metropolitan area are Orange, Lake, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. Here are their respective school districts:

Is your child younger than four years old? SCPS holds literacy play groups for families and children birth to three. Great Start…Pathways to Success is for parents and toddlers in Seminole County. This program helps parents develop essential early literacy skills in their children.

Seminole County Public School PreK art paper with teacher figure watering paper flower
Seminole County Public School PreK

What is Florida’s VPK Program?

VPK stands for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program. Florida residents are eligible for this program regardless of income. To participate your child needs to turn four years of age by September 1st of the year in which the school year will begin. 

A new state law established July 1, 2016, extends VPK eligibility for 4-year-olds with birthdays from February 2nd through September 1st in the calendar year. This enables four-year-olds to wait a school year before participating in VPK and not lose eligibility when they turn five years old. 

The extension is intended to allow parents of younger 4-year-olds to postpone the year their child begins VPK. This leads the child to begin kindergarten and first grade a little older. However, children may only participate in the VPK program once.

Open enrollment usually begins February 1st of the year in which your child becomes eligible. It usually lasts one month, until March 1st. Each county has different capacity limitations and certain schools have different capacities.

Tips for VPK Success

It’s best to brush up on information about Florida VPK in Central Florida schools well before it is time for your child to enroll. You’ll need to upload their birth certificate and proof of your residency (two forms of proof), plus certain medical records from your child’s pediatrician during the application process. So, make sure you have those ready when the time comes. 

Young-boy-participates-in-Eye-Spy-activity-at-Seminole-County-Library-image-by-Dani-Meyering
Eye Spy activity at Seminole County Library – image by Dani Meyering
  • If your child already attends childcare, talk with your school’s director before the application process opens. 
  • If your child does not attend child care and VPK will be their first exposure to a school setting prepare them for a few months beforehand. 
  • Research books and toys that are good to prepare your child for VPK.
  • You may find there is an emphasis on fine motor skills and obedience among other skills once considered appropriate for Kindergarten, but now important for VPK.
  • Time at your local library is a good place to visit with your child multiple times before VPK because of the environment and the many books and resources.
  • Ramp up your time in local playgrounds to help with socialization. 
  • Talk with your child multiple times before they begin VPK, telling them what to expect and assuring them that you will be there for them.