No. Our process for placing Pre-K students is as follows:

1. Home Zone school placement;
2. If home zone is at capacity we look at the next closest school, using the child’s address.

Exceptions:

If an older sibling K-5 is approved for school choice we attempt to keep the siblings together. This is not always possible. 

The process can take anywhere from four to eight weeks, sometimes longer depending on the number of applicants. In certain cases, some students may actually begin school after the established back to school date. This is ok.

Remember, VPK vouchers are issued through the Early Learning Coalition (ELC,) so this can possibly add time to the process.

This can vary from year to year. Information will be posted on the Early Childhood Programs website regarding the opening of the Screening process. Typically, parents should plan on starting the process about six months prior to the beginning of the school year.

In the event there are no more seats available at a Leon County Public School. Parents are encouraged to contact the Early Learning Coalition to see what other VPK providers are available to serve your child.

No. By law, the VPK program is only for students who are 4 years old on or before September 1 of the current year. However, students who turn 4 years of age between February 1- September 1 of the enrolling year, have the option to attend VPK at 4 years of age, or 5 years of age, providing that the child hasn't already attended VPK in the state of Florida.  

Students may only transfer one time per state guidelines. In order to transfer locations, you will need to obtain a re-enrollment certificate from the parent portal where you obtained the original VPK certificate. If you have questions please contact the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend, as the Early Childhood Programs office does not issue certificates. Please contact the VPK office prior to transferring your student.

Transportation can vary year to year depending on funding. For the 2020-2021 school year, transportation will be provided for VPK Students. Parents or a parent-designated person MUST be at the bus drop off and pick up each day.

Transportation is not provided for half-day students (released at 11:30 am.)

Parents are responsible for ensuring their children arrive safely and in a timely manner per the VPK program requirements. Families are encouraged to explore these options before choosing a VPK provider.

Parents may arrange Extended Learning Program (ELP) services for before and after school care directly with the ELP contact at the assigned school.

The VPK program is completely free of charge but you must provide the Certificate of Eligibility from the . There are several sites that provide extended hours for a fee. The VPK program is from 8:30-11:30. You may elect to enroll your child in school for the remainder of the day from 11:30-2:50. There is a registration fee of $150 and a monthly tuition of $425.

No, school choice does not apply to the VPK program in Leon County it is only for grades K-12.

Not when you enroll and attend the Screening appointment, however you will need it later to complete the process and be enrolled in a school site. That needs to be done through the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend (ELC.)

We make an effort to keep siblings together. If your K-5 child is accepted for school choice and there are Pre-K seats available at the choice school we will make every effort to place your Pre-K child at the same school as your K-5 student. Pre-K seats are very limited and this is not always an option.

No. All Pre-K (including VPK) students will need to contact the Early Childhood Programs office to start the screening and enrollment process. Once that is complete, parents will be able to enroll their child at their home zoned school.

Yes. Leon Schools VPK is a first come, first served program. Once all seats are filled, you would need to select another VPK provider.