Florida was one of the first states in the country to offer free prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds regardless of family income. Since the program began in 2005-06, more than 2.6 million children have benefited from the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK). Data collected by the Florida Department of Education shows that children who participate in VPK are much more ready for kindergarten than children who do not participate in VPK.

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Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) is a voluntary state program funded by the Division of Early Learning (DEL) at the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). SCS offers the VPK program free of charge to families as either a 540-instructional hour school year program or a 300-instructional hour summer program. Families may select between the school year or the summer, but not both.

VPK Specialized Instructional Services (VPK SIS)

Florida’s VPK Specialized Instructional Services (VPK SIS) education program is an additional option for parents of 4-year-old children with disabilities that is available outside the traditional VPK classroom setting. If your child has a current individual educational plan (IEP) from your local school district that calls for specialized instructional services, you can choose VPK SIS instead of traditional VPK school year or summer programs.

VPK School Year Enrollment Information

All children who reside in Florida and turn four years of age by September 1st of the school year, are eligible to participate in a VPK program. Children with VPK delayed enrollment certificates are not eligible for placement in a school district VPK program. All program sites offer VPK choice as options as an opportunity for parents to select the school site and program that will best meet their child’s needs.

VPK school year sites are subject to change based on specific school enrollment and unit allocations:

Alta Vista Elementary
Atwater Elementary
Brentwood Elementary
Cranberry Elementary
Emma E. Booker Elementary
Englewood Elementary
Glenallen Elementary
Skye Ranch
Taylor Ranch School
Toledo Blade Elementary
Tuttle Elementary
Venice Elementary
Wilkinson Elementary

All VPK applications must be approved by the Department of Early Learning. Applying does not guarantee a seat. Availability is limited due to school capacity.

Step 1: Obtain a VPK Certificate of Eligibility.

• Starting January 1, 2025, to acquire a Certificate of Eligibility for the 2025- 2026 school year, either:

• Call the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) at (941) 954-4830 or visit their website at www.earlylearningcoalitionsarasota.org or,

• Use the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Division of Early Learning Family Portal at www.floridaearlylearning.com.

Step 2: Complete the School Choice Application.

• Beginning February 3, 2025, log in or create an account in the Sarasota County Schools’ Focus Family Portal by clicking this link or through the SCS website.

• To access the Focus Family Portal through the SCS website, go to www. sarasotacountyschools.net, click the “Families” tab at the top of the screen, and then click on the “Focus Portal” button.

• Then, complete the online application for the 2025-2026 VPK School Choice Program.

Questions regarding VPK should be emailed to VPK@sarasotacountyschools.net or contact the District Early Learning Department Office at 941-927-9000 extension 31267. The Early Learning Department Office is located at 1960 Landings Blvd. Sarasota FL 34231, should you require face-face assistance. Please consider calling in advance to make an appointment, if you would like to schedule a meeting.

• The Pre-K office will contact parents for placement status.

• If accepted into an SCS VPK program, the parent/family will complete the registration and enrollment process with the school.

2025-2026 Early Learning Programs Family Handbook

Sarasota County Schools

Early Learning Programs

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Pre-K Program

Preschool Diagnostic Center

Early Learning Pre-K Program “Academic Pre-K”

Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)

Head Start Programs

Local Community Child Care/Early Education Ages 0-5

Early Learning Resources

Contacts

Early Learning Contacts

Location