Studer Community Institute

VPK gives children an early start in school

April 24, 2015
/ Staff Reports
/ education

Voluntary Prekindergarten, or VPK, gives children an early start by getting them ready for school and enhancing their pre-reading, pre-math, language and social skills. The Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County now is accepting VPK applications for summer registration for 4-year-olds born Sept. 2, 2009, through Sept. 1, 2010 and did not attend VPK during the current school year. Fall registration is open for the 2015-2016 school year for 4-year olds-born Sept. 2, 2010 through Sept. 1, 2011. If you have a child who will turn 4 years of age by Sept. 1, the child is eligible for the state’s free VPK program. Children can attend one of the two programs offered. “VPK is a wonderful program” says Hope Wilson, the coalition’s VPK eligibility specialist. “The program provides children with the tools they need to be successful in life. When children enter kindergarten without a VPK background, then they lose out on the opportunity to gain foundational skills that can ultimately cause them to fall behind.” The school-year program includes 540 hours of instructional time and starts in August. The summer program consists of 300 hours with a class size of 13 or fewer pupils. Children with IEP developed by local school boards may get specialized instructional services, which serves children with disabilities. VPK classrooms offer high-quality programs that include high literacy standards, developmentally appropriate curricula, manageable class sizes and qualified teachers. By developing the skills children need to become better readers and students at an early age, children are more likely to be successful in school. A personal email address is necessary to email the Certificate of Eligibility to parents. Parents will set up an account for VPK with their personal email and establish a password for the account. After completing an application online, parents will upload/scan proof of residency and birth to the application. Application approval will be by email from the Early Learning Coalition advising that the Certificate of Eligibility is ready to be printed. Parents will take the Certificate of Eligibility to the school of choice. There are many sites available for children to begin their road to educational success. For listing of schools contact Early Learning Coalition of Escambia at 850-595-5915. For more information about the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County, call 595-5400 or visit www.elcescambia.org. To apply for VPK Services parents must apply online at https://vpkcp.floridaearlylearning.com. The Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County is a non-profit organization funded by state and federal grants from the Florida Office of Early Learning. The mission of the Coalition is to identify and meet the needs of children and families to lay the foundation for lifetime success by maximizing each child’s potential, preparing children to enter school ready to learn, and helping families achieve economic self-sufficiency.

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VPK gives children an early start in school

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