Vpk in orlando fl: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)

VPK Application | Seminole County Public Schools

For your convenience, VPK registration is completely online! To register your student in a VPK program, please follow the application and enrollment instructions below.

IMPORTANT:  ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR WILL OPEN FEBRUARY 9.   A VPK CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED TO APPLY.  PLEASE COMPLETE STEP 1 BELOW DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2023. BETWEEN FEBRUARY 9- MARCH 9 YOU WILL SUBMIT AN APPLICATION ONLINE, INDICATING THE SCHOOL OF CHOICE.  A RANDOM SELECTION PROCESS WILL OCCUR IN MARCH. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL REGARDING YOUR CHILD’S PLACEMENT. YOU WILL THEN REGISTER THROUGH SKYWARD.

• Locations (pdf)

Important Note:

Registration for the current school year is ongoing throughout the year. Please contact the VPK office for availability at your desired school.

Step 1 – Apply for a VPK Certificate

Apply for your VPK Certificate of Eligibility through the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole. This certificate is required as it entitles your child to three hours of state-funded free prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds regardless of family income.

This will require parents/guardians to complete an application and upload the following documents in PDF format:

1. Proof of Florida residency (e.g. electric bill, current Florida driver’s license, lease)
2. Proof of child’s age (e.g. birth certificate, passport)

Your child’s Certificate of Eligibility will be emailed to you as soon as documents are verified. This may take up to 10 business days.

Visit the Parent Portal on the Coalition’s website to begin the process of obtaining your VPK Certificate.

IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE OBTAINING THE VPK CERTIFICATE PLEASE CONTACT THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION

• 289 Hunt Park Cove Longwood, FL 32750 PHONE 407-960-2460

Step 2 – Complete an online application to select a school beginning February 9, 2023 – You must upload your VPK certificate with your application

The application window will open at 12 p. m. on February 9, 2023 and run through 11:59 p.m. on March 9, 2023.

Apply at seminoleschoolchoicesapplication.us.

All applications received during this time are of equal weight and are not assigned on a first come, first served basis. Applications are processed through a random lottery. Applications received after March 9, 2023 will be prioritized by date.

The VPK Certificate of Eligibility MUST be signed and uploaded as a part of the application process for your application to be considered complete & eligible. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

** Notifications will be emailed to parents in April 2023. **

Parents have 10 days to accept (or decline) their child’s placement in the VPK Program through seminoleschoolchoicesapplication.us.

Step 3- Enroll your child online

After receiving an email confirmation and accepting placement, please visit the enrollment website and select the option to enroll your child.

The enrollment link and process will not be activated until placement confirmation emails have been sent.

Take Advantage of VPK

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We are proud to partner with Kids R Kids Avalon Park, to bring you sponsored content about VPK information that is pertinent to Central Florida families.

As parents, we all want the best for our children. We want them to grow up happy, healthy, and well-educated. One way many parents choose to give their children a head start in their education is by enrolling them in a Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten or VPK.

Florida introduced their Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program in 2005, which is a free, universal initiative. Eligible families had the option to enroll their 4-year-old children into either a 540-hour school year program or a 300-hour summer program.

Since getting its start, the VPK program has grown to become the second-largest state-funded preschool program, with more than 3/4 of Florida’s 4-year-olds attending.

Here are some of the advantages of enrolling your child in a VPK program:

Many experts agree that early childhood education provides numerous medium and long-term benefits to children enrolled in pre-k programs.

According to the National Education Association, children who participate in early childhood education programs are:

• Less likely to be held back a grade
• Less likely to be identified as having special needs
• Are more prepared academically for later grades
• Are more likely to graduate high school
• Are higher wage earners

Let’s dive deeper into the benefits of a VPK program.

Encourages Brain Development

Science tells us that one of the most critical periods of brain development occurs between the ages of 2 and 7 because two-year-olds have twice as many synapses as adults.

These connections in the brain are where learning occurs, so it’s crucial to your child’s long-term development that you give them the tools and experiences at a time when they can learn twice as fast.

Some people look at pre-k programs as precursors to “real” learning, but some research suggests that certain skills like learning second languages or becoming proficient in music are more difficult for children that don’t participate in early education activities.

Putting your child in a Florida VPK gives them the tools they need for their brains to grow along positive pathways, which sets them up for future success.

Social Skill Enhancement

Placing children in a structured educational environment at a young age helps them develop social skills by teaching them how to interact with others.
Children also learn the importance of socializing and abiding by rules by playing games, as well as good manners.
Structured education at early ages helps kids remain focused and attentive for longer periods, which better prepares them for the rigors of higher education.

Encourages a Love of Learning

Kids are naturally inquisitive, and their education begins at home as they learn games and creative ways to process information, which makes education fun for them.

Enrolling your child in a Florida VPK allows them to continue these creative learning methods, helping them to take that love of education with them throughout their lives.

Prepare Kids for Higher Education

Children who participate in high-quality early learning programs score higher in high-school readiness tests, develop better language skills, and experience fewer behavioral problems than children who don’t.

Furthermore, kids that enroll in VPK and other pre-k programs are better prepared for kindergarten and generally have an easier time socializing, and have improved math and language skills.

Supports Physical Development

Structured play goes a long way to increase your child’s motor skills and coordination, contributing to positive health and fitness outcomes.

• Florida is one of the leading states in pre-kindergarten access.
• In the program year 2019-2020, 71 percent of 4-year-olds in the state attended a VPK program.
• In 2019-2020, 171,199 children were served by 6,501 private, public, and charter schools and private care facilities offering VPK.
• Eligible children must live in Florida and be 4-years old before September 1 of the current year.