Voluntary Prekindergarten is here! Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, all Alachua County four year-olds have been able to take advantage of 540 hours of FREE, quality prekindergarten education during the school year.
The goal of the VPK program is to offer children the opportunity to perform better in school and throughout life. That’s why VPK curriculums must be developmentally appropriate, focus on early literacy skills, and prepare children to be ready for kindergarten based on standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
There is still time for child care centers and family homes to apply to provide Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) in Alachua County. However, it is important that interested providers get their applications in as soon as possible. Please allow 2-4 weeks to process your application
Providers interested in Summer or School Year VPK should contact ELCAC NOW to get your application completed at:
SCHOOL YEAR VPK:
- is a 540 hour program
- requires that you have at least 4 but not more than 18 students per class
- requires the lead instructor to have credentials equivalent to a CDA, or higher
SUMMER VPK:
- is a 300 hour program
- requires that you have at least 4 but not more than ten students per class
- requires instructors with the following specific credentials:
Be a certified instructor with a valid Florida educator certificate
OR
Hold a BA in:
Early Childhood Education
Prekindergarten or Primary Education
Preschool Education
Family and Consumer Science
OR
Hold a BA or higher in Elementary Education IF the instructor has been certified to teach children any age from birth through 6th grade. In this case your teaching certificate does not have to be current.