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VPK FAQ

What is VPK?

Voluntary PreKindergarten is a free, quality pre-kindergarten program for 4 year old children who reside in the state of Florida.

How much does VPK cost?

VPK classroom hours are 100% FREE.  If you need additional care (before and after the program), the provider may require fee's for these services.

What is the process to enroll a child in the VPK program?

The parent will need to go to the Coalition offices in the Kris Complex, 3300 SE Lake Weir Ave. Call the Coalition at 352-369-2315 for additional information and to set an appointment.

How old must the child be to enroll in the VPK program?

The child must be 4 years of age ON or BEFORE September 1st of that program year.  The program year is August 1 - July 31st.

Documentation required to certify a child for the VPK program:

1.  Proof of age for the child: (one of the following)

  • Government issued birth certificate
  • Shot records with physician or nurse signature
  • Baptismal record
  • note signed by a doctor stating the age the doctor believes the child to be

2.  Proof of residency: (one of the following)

  • valid driver's license or I.D. card
  • utility bill in parent/guardian name with physical address
  • notarized letter from landlord stating parent/guardian resides with child at physical address
  • any legal document in parent/guardians name with physical address
  • NO P.O. BOXES

What provider does the parent take their child to once they receive a Certificate of Eligibility?

It is parental choice in choosing a provider.  A list of certified VPK providers is located on the Coalition's website (www.elc-marion.org) homepage or staff will provide parent with a hard copy of the list.

What if the child was enrolled in the VPK program in another county?

The parent must go to the Coalition to re-enroll their child in Marion County.  Staff will contact the other county's Coalition to obtain the information required including the number of hours the child attended in another county.

The child attended VPK during the school year; can the parent enroll him/her for the summer program?

If the child attended a specfied number of hours in the fall program, they are not eligible to attend the summer program.  To clarify eligibility, contact the Coalition at 352-369-2315. 

The parent is interested in their child attending a Marion County Public School (MCPS) VPK classroom:

Fall program:

MCPS has a lottery system to decide which child will attend the VPK program at a public shool.  There are minimal vacancies available.  For the fall VPK program, the child must live in that school district.  This is a full day program and there is no charge unless the parent enrolls their child in the before or after care program.  Contact Michelle Kernan at michelle.kernan@marion.k12.fl.us or 352-620-7652.

Summer program:

There are more schools that offer VPK during the summer.  The child may attend the school of choice.  Transportation is not provided.  To enroll their child in a summer VPK program, the parent should contact the school or Amber Stinski @ 352-236-0577, ext. 50242. 

The child resides in a different county, but the parent wants their child to attend VPK in Marion County, is that allowed? 

Yes, it is allowed and the parent will have to get a COE from Marion County by contacting the Coalition at 352-369-2315.

What are the instructional hours of the program?

The school year program is 540 hours.  The summer program is 300 hours.