Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)



  • The Early Childhood Education Department (ECE) hosts the District’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program, a State funded program that offers free instruction to Florida four-year old's. Children need to be four-years old by September 1 of the year they are enrolled and need to obtain a VPK certificate from the Early Learning Coalition (ELC). The direct connection between the VPK Program and the School Board of Broward County ensures that wrap-around services available through the School Board are provided to the students enrolled in the program.

    District VPK/Pre-K Program models include:

    • VPK/Pre-K (tuition supported) – Provides 3 hours of VPK plus an optional, additional 3 hours of instruction funded through parent paid tuition. VPK/Pre-K (tuition supported) classes at select BCPS schools offer programs for 3-year-old children.
    • VPK (blended funding) – Provides full-day (6-hour) instruction using a combination of VPK and other state/federal funding (e.g., Head Start, Title I, Migrant, ESE, etc.).
    • Head Start/VPK Extended Day – Provides 3 free hours of VPK from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
    • VPK/Early Learning Labs (Offered at select high schools in conjunction with the CTACE program) – Provides 3 hours of VPK plus an optional, additional 3 hours of instructional Pre-K funded through parent fees. High school students enrolled in the Early Childhood program spend time working with the VPK students throughout the day.

    Read more about VPK

Important Information

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  • What is VPK?

    The Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program is a state-funded program designed to prepare four-year-olds for kindergarten and build the foundation for their educational success. The program allows a parent to enroll their eligible child (four years old by September 1 and residing in Florida) in a FREE VPK program of their choice. The program is voluntary for children and providers. In Broward County Public Schools, the free VPK program is combined with additional hours called, “Pre-K”. The combined VPK and Pre-K hours create a full school day program. At some schools, the full day is free and at others, the Pre-K portion of the day is tuition supported.

  • What makes my child eligible for VPK?

    A child must be 4 years of age on or before September 1 of the program year, and reside in Florida to participate in the VPK program.

  • How old does my child have to be to apply for the VPK program?

    A child must turn 4 years old on or before September 1st of the current year. 

  • How do I apply for VPK?

    For application information including how to apply for our BCPS Head Start/Early Head Start program, please visit the VPK application page.

  • How do I obtain a VPK certificate? (this is the first step in applying for VPK with BCPS)

    Step 1. Apply for your child’s VPK Certificate of Eligibility online via the State of Florida - Family Portal website

  • If I already applied for my VPK certificate, has my child been accepted to VPK at Broward Schools?

    No, after obtaining your VPK certificate from the Family Portal website, please complete Step 2 - create an account with the BCPS - VPK Parent Portal. Please visit the following link for more information on how to apply to VPK at Broward Schools. https://www.browardschools.com/Page/50539

  • How long does the application process take?

    Please visit the following link for information on the application process and timelines. https://www.browardschools.com/Page/50539 

  • How do I check the VPK application status?

    You can check the status of your child's application by logging into your account on the BCPS - VPK Parent Portal (located in step 2).

  • How do I change my school preference?

    In order to make any updates to your submitted VPK application (including changing your school preference), please email vpkparentportal@browardschools.com

  • How much does it cost to enroll in a VPK program?

    The VPK portion of the BCPS VPK/Pre-K program is FREE for eligible children, regardless of family income. Registration and tuition fees are not permitted for the free, 3-hour VPK portion of the day.  However, registration and tuition fees are permitted for the non-VPK (i.e. ‘Pre-K’) portion of the day. 

  • Does Broward County Public Schools have programs available to 3-year-olds?

    Yes! Some BCPS schools offer programs for 3-year-olds.

  • Does selection for the BCPS – VPK program guarantee that my child will go to the same school for Kindergarten the following year?

    Selection for a Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program at a school does not guarantee placement for Kindergarten at the same school. If your child is selected or offered a seat in a BCPS - Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) class that is not your boundary school, you must apply for and receive a reassignment in order for your child to attend Kindergarten at the same school. To learn about the reassignment process, please visit the School Choice website.

  • How long will my child be on the waitlist?

    Your child will remain on the wait list for the remainder of this school year. You will be contacted if a space becomes available, and your child is selected.

  • Will the VPK program provide transportation?

    No, transportation services are not provided. 

  • Can I bring food from home for my child?

    Yes, food from home is permitted. The BCPS VPK Program adheres to the USDA nutritional guidelines and portion-size servings. We provide a FREE balanced, nutritious breakfast and snack for your child. 

  • Is aftercare available for students enrolled in a VPK program?

    Aftercare options vary by school location. Please reach out to the school directly to inquire about aftercare options that are available to students enrolled in VPK programs.

  • What curriculum is utilized in the VPK classroom?

    The Early Childhood Education Department – VPK classrooms utilize Creative Curriculum, Heggerty Phonological Awareness, and Conscious Discipline to implement developmentally appropriate instructional strategies and ensure that students enrolled in VPK classrooms are fully prepared for entering Kindergarten.

  • Do I need to apply for School Choice to apply for a VPK school location?

    Parents/guardians do NOT need to apply for School Choice to apply to a BCPS - VPK school location. Parents/guardians should visit browardschools.com/vpkapplication for more information on how to apply for BCPS-VPK.

  • How is students’ progress monitored in the BCPS-VPK program?

    The Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring Program is the statewide, standardized program known as Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Star Early Literacy. It is implemented in all VPK programs as required by s. 1002.68, F.S., and used to assess student achievement of the performance standards established in s. 1002.67(1)(a), F.S., in early literacy and mathematics. In addition to the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Star Early Literacy, BCPS-VPK students are also administered classroom progress monitoring assessments for letter names, letter sounds, concepts of print, and phonological awareness.

  •  Important Information about Entering Kindergarten after Head Start/Early Head Start and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)

    Selection for a Head Start/Early Head Start & VPK/Enrichment program at a school does not guarantee placement for Kindergarten at the same school. If your child is selected or offered a seat in a Head Start/Early Head Start & VPK/Enrichment class that is not your boundary school, you must apply for and receive a reassignment in order for your child to attend Kindergarten at the same school. To learn about the reassignment process, please visit the School Choice website.  

Contact Information

  • Early Childhood Education

    600 SE Third Avenue

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

    Phone: 754-321-1961

    Fax: --

    TTL: --

    Phone: --

    Sharonda Bailey

    Director

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