FACT SHEET Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK)

Program Highlights Percentage of Four‐Year‐Olds in VPK

Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is a free 67% program designed to prepare four‐year‐olds in 160,000 50% 63% Florida for and build the foundation for 140,000 55% their educational success. Children who live in Florida 120,000 48% and are four years old on or before September 1st 100,000 are eligible for the VPK program. All VPK providers 80,000 must meet the program’s quality standards: 60,000 40,000  Qualified instructors. 20,000  Age appropriate curricula with a strong emphasis 0 on early skills. 05‐06: 06‐07: 07‐08: 08‐09: 09‐10 106,479 123,567 134,717 147,752 YTD:  Manageable class sizes. 156,832

Program Options VPK Provider Readiness Rates

FALL 2010 Parents may enroll their child in a VPK classroom A VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate, located in a private child care or ‐based setting. calculated for VPK providers, measures how well Parents also have the choice between a school year prepared four‐year‐olds are for kindergarten based program or a summer program. VPK providers must on the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener meet specific requirements for either program: (FLKRS). The FLKRS is based on the VPK Education Standards, which describe what four‐year‐old  The School year program consists of 540 children should know and be able to do by the end of instructional hours with class sizes of 18 or fewer VPK. students. Instructors must hold a minimum of a Birth to Five Florida Child Care Professional The VPK Provider Kindergarten Readiness Rate is a Credential to teach the School year program. tool parents may use to select a VPK program best  The Summer Program consists of 300 suited for their family. Early Learning Coalitions instructional hours and class sizes of 12 or fewer (www.floridajobs.org/vpk/CoalitionInfo.aspx) can students. Instructors must hold a minimum of a provide parents with Provider Profiles for local VPK Bachelor’s degree to teach the Summer program. providers and access to licensing reports.

VPK Providers Historical VPK Provider Data 5,989 VPK providers must meet the minimum requirements 5,660 5,832 outlined in Florida law. Private VPK providers must 6000 4,798 5,158 976 5000 932 886 hold the Florida Department of Children and Families 862 4000 856 (DCF) Director Credential with the VPK Director 3000 4728 5013 4946 3942 4296 Endorsement. Private providers must also hold a 2000 Public School valid child care license or be exempt from licensure 1000 0 Private Provider and be recognized by an approved child care accrediting agency.

For more information about Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten Program, please call the Agency for Workforce Innovation toll‐free at 1.866.357.3239 or visit www.flready.com