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VPK

Voluntary Prekindergarten

Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is a free educational program offered by the State of Florida. The structured learning provided in the program is designed to prepare children for kindergarten. VPK gives children the opportunity to develop skills that will be needed for success in school and life.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for admission to VPK, children must be four years of age on or before September 1st of that school year. Families may choose either the school year program or the summer program, which is offered before the start of the students’ kindergarten year.

School Year Program

The State of Florida provides 540 hours of instruction which is free to the parent. VPK is offered at all Flagler County Elementary Schools, with students attending their zoned school. VPK days will follow the Flagler Schools calendar and meet Monday–Friday for the first three hours of the school day. Additional instructional hours (wrap around care before and after VPK) are available for a fee of $70.00 per week, starting at 7:00 am and ending at 5:30 pm.

Summer Program

The State of Florida provides 300 hours of instruction during the VPK summer program. The Flagler Schools summer VPK program is held at different elementary schools each year. Please contact us for the current location. 

Enrollment

Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis and does not guarantee placement in the program. Please contact the Registrar at your home-zoned school if you have any questions about enrolling your child.

Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

Families must obtain a COE from the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia (ELCFV). Visit the ELCFV website to apply for a certificate or contact them at 386-323-2400. Please review our instructions for COE applications.

Enroll Online

Visit the New Student Enrollment page on the Flagler Schools website to begin the online VPK Enrollment. Required documents should be scanned and uploaded with the application.

If you are registering after March 31, 2026, you have the option to attend Summer VPK, which will be offered from June 9 through July 31 for students entering kindergarten in the fall. The second option for registration is our 2026–2027 school year VPK program, which is available at every elementary school for VPK-eligible students. Please communicate with your home zoned school or the VPK office when you complete the online registration if you are choosing Summer VPK. 

Enroll In Person

For families who are unable to enroll online, including those who need access to a device to complete the enrollment, please contact the registrar at your home-zoned school. You will need to provide the COE and a complete and correct enrollment packet.

Policies and Procedures

  • Free breakfast is available to all students and free/reduced lunch is available for eligible students that attend wrap around.
  • Students will attend their home-zoned school as space is available. Additional options are available only to VPK students whose siblings currently attend the school. School choice applications are submitted annually, and an application must be submitted before the student starts kindergarten.
  • Transportation for VPK is the family's responsibility. Check with your student's VPK teacher for entrance and exit procedures. Students coming to school at the regular start time should be dropped off at each school’s car rider line. A VPK teacher will meet the student and walk them to class. Mid-day dismissal is for VPK only students (three hours). School day dismissal is available for those students staying for wrap around until the school day is over. These students will follow each school’s car rider procedure. Extended day dismissal is available for students staying beyond the regular school day.
  • VPK students will follow the current elementary dress code for Flagler Schools.

Colorful number magnets are arranged on a chalkboard.

VPK Documents & Resources

  • Certificate of Eligibility Registration Instructions

    Visit this resource to learn about the VPK registration process and how to obtain your child's Certificate of Eligibility.

  • Early Childhood Education: VPK/PreK Parent Handbook

    The Early Childhood Education (ECE) VPK/PreK Parent Handbook is a great resource to learn about attendance, transportation, dress codes, and all the other information you need for your child as he or she enters VPK.

  • Family Engagement Information

    Check out this Flagler Schools resource to learn more about VPK and kindergarten eligibility, Early Steps' intervention services, ChildFind, and other beneficial district services.

  • Kindergarten Readiness Information

    Visit this resource for more information about kindergarten readiness from the Florida Department of Education's Division of Early Learning.

  • VPK Fact Sheet

    Our VPK Fact Sheet will provide you with answers to the questions you may have about VPK eligibility, school calendars, school zones, and much more.

  • VPK Supply List

    What supplies does your child need as he or she begins this exciting education journey? Check out our VPK Supply List to find out!

  • VPK to Kindergarten Transition Information

    View this information sheet to learn what you need to know about your child's transition from VPK to kindergarten. Also included on this form is contact information for your school registrar and what you will need to bring to register your student for school.

Contact Us

If you have questions about VPK, please contact the Early Childhood Education Center at 386-437-7584 or submit the form below to be contacted.