Free Voluntary Pre-K Programs Help Prepare 4-Year-Olds for Kindergarten

The Early Learning Coalition of Polk County is encouraging parents who want to help prepare their preschoolers for kindergarten to sign them up for a VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) Program.

ELC officials say VPK provides high quality early childhood programs that will include great introductions into literacy, math and important social emotional learning skills. They say at the end of the program VPK students score higher on school readiness tests and are better prepared for kindergarten.

Parents in Polk County who wish to enroll their children in VPK programs may do so through a private childcare provider or a Polk County Public School site which offers VPK.

Parents can select a VPK provider and obtain the required certificate of eligibility by going to the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County's website at https://elcpolk.org/parents/vpk/ or by calling 863-577-2450.

The free program only requires that the child be 4 years of age on or before Sept. 1, 2020, have a Certificate of Eligibility, and also be a resident of Florida. A certificate of eligibility can only be provided through the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County.