VPK Providers

VPK is a state funded program. It is no cost to you unless you enroll them in a program that has wrap around care and you will have to pay for that. My son goes to La Petite Acedemy for VPK and they are awesome. Every school district is different as far as when the public elementary school has VPK. I know in Volusia, VPK in the acutal schools is only offered over the summer, but in Orlando just about every school has a VPK program during the school year. Also, Volusia county requires a certificae from the Early Learning Coalition in order to enroll them. Call the locations your interested in and find out exactly wht you need in addition to the standard physical, shot record, and birth certificate. If you attend a program at a chuch school, there may be fees. Most programs in day care centers and pulic schools are 100% free, no registration fees or monthly charges.

Go to fldoe.org or vpkhelp.org. for more info. You need to attend a 'round up' and get all the paperwork filled out and turned in there. Then they will assign you a number and this is what you need to register at a VPK provider.
VPK is free, usually there is some sort of registration/supply fee.
Go check out Tuskawilla Presbyterian on 426 and Tuskawilla. Also New Covenant on Tuskawilla. I have had friends send their kids there and they seemed happy w/ it. My son went to the one across from Red Bug Elementary, but that school closed this year. It was a great school and I am sad it closed. He really thrived there. I also toured the Cambridge Academy which is off of Red Bug, I liked it too, but liked the school I chose better. You have to go and get the feel and see what you are comfortable with.You will want to know which curriculum they teach and look it up online to see if it suits your child. The state does not support all curriculums, so that is why only certain schools get the VPK funding.
Good Luck and enjoy that 4 year old preschool time!

Willow Creek Preschool is awesome! They are located in Winter Springs off of East Lake Drive (pretty much walking distance from Red Bug & Tuscawilla). My son goes there for VPK 5 days and it is only $90 a month (9:00-1:00). I think the 4 day is only $70 a month. They open registration to the public on the 12th, so you might want to stop by right away and get a registration form. Their phone number is ###-###-#### and the website is www.willowcreekchurch.org.

Good luck!

Hi G.,
Many of the church based Pre-K /early childhood programs are currently in the registration process for next year and often hold open houses or tours. Take advantage of these to check out and compare several of the programs in your area. You might need to call around and find out what churches offer these programs. Now is a good time to do it because if you wait until the summer many of the programs may be filled in your son's age group. As far as I know, there are tuition fees for these programs. Also check with your local school district. Some offer Pre-K classes to all students, some only offer them to at risk students. These classes are usually free since they are funded with your tax dollars, but may not be available in all areas. Good luck! (and make sure you label the date and grade on all the school pictures--I am trying to sort out pictures now for my grown son!)