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VPK enrollment underway to give children a head start in school

By Karen Martin-Hamilton, For Clay Today
Posted 1/16/25

CLAY COUNTY – January kicks off fall enrollment for Voluntary Prekindergarten. According to the U.S. Department of Education, six out of 10 children enter kindergarten unprepared. In 2005, Florida …

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VPK enrollment underway to give children a head start in school


Posted

CLAY COUNTY – January kicks off fall enrollment for Voluntary Prekindergarten. According to the U.S. Department of Education, six out of 10 children enter kindergarten unprepared. In 2005, Florida created a free VPK program to get children kindergarten-ready.

Parents can enroll their children who will be 4 by Sept.1 and Florida residents in the state-funded VPK program. All that’s needed is proof of age and Florida residency. Once they receive their state voucher, it can be used in any VPK program.

Clay County currently has 51 private and 24 public school providers for VPK—Episcopal Children’s Services contracts with the state to offer VPK in Clay County.

According to Read to Grow, a nonprofit children's literacy program, children not ready to enter kindergarten are 80% more likely to require individualized services and support.

“Data consistently shows that children who participate in VPK enter kindergarten with stronger foundational reading, writing, and math skills,” said Brittney Spangler, Assistant VP of Programs for ECS. “Early exposure gives them a significant head start in their academic journey.”

Parental choice and flexibility are a cornerstone of Florida’s VPK program. VPK “offers a wide range of program options, including private preschools, faith-based centers, family childcare homes, and public schools, allowing parents to choose the best fit for their child's individual needs and learning style,” Spangler said.

Completing VPK “gives students a foundation before starting kindergarten,” said Sonya Stewart, preschool teacher turned director. Stewart taught for over 30 years and feels VPK “sets children and families up for success in a play-based learning environment.”

From physical development, language and literacy to social-emotional skills and mathematical thinking, today’s children need to know more than just letters and numbers to prepare for kindergarten.

Florida’s standards cross eight domains that reflect the knowledge and skills a child should know and be able to do by the time they enter kindergarten. Spengler said, “It’s about essential skill development beyond academics.”

She believes “structured learning environments foster confidence and help children learn to manage themselves in a group setting. VPK students develop crucial life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, listening, patience, and social-emotional competencies like interacting with peers, building friendships, and communicating effectively,” Spengler said.

Gay Williams, a preschool director for 16 years, has seen first-hand the difference VPK can make since two of her grandchildren are graduates. “Kids that have never been to preschool or in childcare benefit from VPK because they are more ready for kindergarten socially, emotionally and educationally,” Williams said.

Florida ensures VPK is a high-quality educational program by not only setting curriculum standards but also conducting student assessments and teachers' classroom observations. Students undergo testing three times during the school year. Additionally, providers undergo annual mandatory classroom observations based on CLASS, which looks at teaching quality through student and teacher interactions. “Beginning with the 2024-25 VPK program year, VPK providers will receive a performance metric and performance designation based on three components: quality classroom instruction (CLASS Composite Score), child achievement and child learning gains,” Spangler said.

Using Florida’s free VPK program can prepare your child for educational and lifelong success.

“VPK provides a valuable opportunity for children to develop essential skills, gain confidence, and thrive academically,” Spengler said. “It's a free program with flexible options, making it an invaluable resource for families across Florida.”