4CFlorida.org FAQ: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)

1 FAQ: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Page | 1 How old are children who enroll in VPK? Children who turn 4 years old on or before Sept. 1 of the program year are eligible to attend VPK. In addition, as of July 2016, children born between Feb. 2 and Sept. 1 may attend VPK either that program year or postpone attending until the following program year as long as the child has not yet been admitted to kindergarten . Can my child attend VPK for two years? No. Each child is eligible to attend VPK once. Some families will have a choice to send their child to VPK in one year or another based on the child s birth date. FAQ: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Page | 2 Why can t all parents have the option to choose the year their child attends VPK? Florida law requires children to attend school the year the child is 6 by Feb.

2 1. Not all children would be able to go to VPK a year later because they would turn 6 by Feb. 1. When can I begin my child s VPK application in the Family Portal? Beginning Jan. 1 of the program year. For example, you may apply for the 2017-18 program year beginning Jan. 1, 2017. How does a parent postpone their child s VPK enrollment? The online system where families enroll for VPK (called the Family Portal) allows parents with eligible children to apply for either program year. If an eligible child already has a Certificate of Eligibility for their first year of eligibility and has not attended VPK yet, the parent may request to postpone VPK to the following year in the Family Portal. If a child has already attended VPK, the parent would need to apply for a reenrollment into the subsequent program year.

3 Once a child has started kindergarten , does the child remain eligible to postpone VPK? No. According to section , Florida Statutes, a child is no longer eligible for VPK once he or she enrolls in kindergarten . What happens if my child already has a certificate of eligibility for the 2016-17 program year and I want to send my child to the 2017-18 program instead? You may postpone your child s VPK for the 2017-18 in the Family Portal, if your child did not attend a 2016-17 VPK program. If your child has already attended VPK, but not more than 70 percent of the program, please contact your early learning coalition to apply for a reenrollment into the subsequent program year. FAQ: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Page | 3 If a family does not have access to technology to access the VPK application online, how can they apply?

4 Families should contact their local early learning coalition. The rule requires early learning coalitions to make the appropriate technology available to all families who present themselves requesting assistance. The application can be found at Where can families access the parent handbook (Form OEL-VPK 07) and parent guide (OEL-VPK 06)? Families have the opportunity to review and download the parent handbook and parent guide when they apply for VPK on the Family Portal. It is also available on Once an early learning coalition determines a child is eligible for VPK and approves the child s application, is there a reason a parent would have to resubmit proof of age or residency documentation? No. The rule specifies that the coalition does not have to reverify eligibility documentation once a child has been determined to be eligible for the program.

5 When a family requests to change the VPK application to a different coalition service area, coalitions should coordinate to change the county of services in the Family Portal. How recent does proof of residency documentation, such as a utility bill or pay stub, need to be when submitted with a child s application? To be approved, documentation must be dated within 12 months of the date the child s application is submitted. FAQ: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Page | 4 How do families document residency if they are homeless? The rule allows families to submit documents showing that the child is homeless and resides in Florida such as a letter from a homeless shelter, a homeless referral or a notarized statement from the child s parent. Where can families find VPK Provider Profiles in their area?

6 VPK Provider Profiles can be found on the Department of Children and Families CARES website, Coalitions should help families requesting assistance to navigate the website. What documentation should VPK providers accept to enroll a child in their VPK program? There are two documents a provider may accept the Child Certificate of Eligibility (Form OEL-VPK 02, May 2016) or the Certificate of Eligibility for Reenrollment (Form OEL-VPK 04, May 2016). To finalize enrollment, the provider must complete the remainder of the form and submit verification of the completed form to the early learning coalition. Does this rule apply to parents seeking VPK Specialized Instructional Services (SIS) for a child? Yes. The SIS application allows for the child s Individual Educational Plan to be uploaded as part of the documentation requirements, as required by Rule , I applied in person, now what?

7 If you applied in person, take your Certificate of Eligibility to the provider of your choice. The VPK provider will work with you to complete your child s enrollment into the program. FAQ: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Page | 5 I applied online, what do I do now? If you applied online, you do not need to visit the 4C office. There may be a wait of up to three business days while we review your application. You will then receive instruction via the email address you used to apply. You are able to print your child s Certificate of Eligibility to take to the approved VPK provider of your choice. Click here to apply online. If the application is rejected, the email received will provide further instructions. (Notice to Apple device users, if you experience difficulty in reaching the Family Portal with Safari, access by downloading and using Google Chrome or Firefox.)

8 Can I enroll my child in the Summer VPK program in addition to the Fall VPK program? No, you may enroll for either the fall or summer program, but not for both. Can I transfer my child to another provider? Yes, you may transfer your child to another VPK provider during the program year and only if your child has not used 70% of the available hours (378 hours Fall or 210 hours Summer). To receive a transfer Certificate of Eligibility: Orange County: Visit the 4C office at 3500 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808, Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 4:30 Osceola County: Call for an appointment at (321) 219-6300 or visit our office on Wednesdays from 8 to 4:30 , at 2220 East Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Unit 7, Kissimmee, FL 34744. FAQ: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Page | 6 Will the VPK program provide transportation?

9 Florida law specifies that each parent is responsible for the transportation of his or her child to and from the VPK program. Some VPK providers may offer transportation services at an additional cost, and families are encouraged to explore these options before choosing a VPK provider. How much does it cost to enroll in a VPK program? The VPK program is FREE for eligible children, regardless of family income. Providers are not permitted to charge a fee (registration, supplies, etc.) or require parents to agree to any additional services as a condition for enrolling their child into a VPK program. State law does not, however, prohibit a provider from charging registration fees for care provided before/after the VPK program. Providers may also charge late fees for children not picked up in a timely manner at the end of the program.

10 The provider may charge a fee for uniforms as part of the programs policy. If a VPK provider asks for any type of fees as a condition for participating in the VPK program, please contact 4C at: Orange County at (407) 532-4155 or Osceola County at (407) 933-5353. What if I have other children that do not qualify for VPK? 4C administers the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) program on behalf of both Early Learning Coalitions of Orange and Osceola counties. To learn about all legally operating early learning providers and other services that may be available to you, please contact CCR&R at: Orange County: (407) 522-2252 Osceola County: (321) 219-6300 FAQ: Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Page | 7 My child is VPK eligible and has special needs. What services are available? For parents of 4-year-old children with disabilities who need educational experiences outside the traditional VPK classroom setting, Florida offers the VPK Specialized Instructional Services (VPK SIS).