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VPK
 
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Dawn Dasher, Assistant Director Child Outcomes
3639 W. Waters Avenue, Suite 500
Tampa, FL 33614
Phone number:  813-272-5140 x3109
Fax number:  813-975-2166

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What is VPK?

Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is a legislatively mandated program designed to prepare every four-year-old in Florida for kindergarten and build the foundation for their educational success. The VPK program gives each child an opportunity to perform better in school and throughout life with quality programs that include high literacy standards, accountability, appropriate curricula, substantial instruction periods, manageable class sizes, and qualified instructors. All eligible four-year-olds are entitled to participate in one of the VPK program options. Staff must meet more stringent requirements in order to provide classroom services, including Level 2 FBI background checks.

This program allows Head Star to continue high quality programming for our community’s neediest children and provides opportunities for classroom supplies and equipment and other upgrades during difficult economic times. By tapping into VPK dollars, the Head Start program identified a means to counter a major threat to quality services.

Implementing VPK within Hillsborough County Head Start allows employees to receive gratis training and additional certifications which not only enhance their professional development, but increase their ability to provide classroom strategies that will help ensure children have an equal chance to succeed in kindergarten. The program has strong early childhood standards that support and document outcomes for children’s learning and has nurtured a relationship with VPK program staff to communicate curriculum and assessment successes. By linking Head Start staff to training opportunities provided by the state, and by reporting program evaluation outcomes, a greater sense of community was established. Teachers exchanging ideas on how children best learn and thrive in school settings extends the Head Start mission of eliminating inequities in education for low-income children to ending inequality in education for all children.

For more information about the statewide VPK program please visit:

 


Eligibility

Children who live in Florida who were born between September 2, 2003-September 1, 2004 are eligible to register for the 2008-2009 VPK School Year Program. Participation in VPK is limited to one time. Once a child is eligible to enter kindergarten, they are no longer eligible to participate in VPK.

For more information, please contact:

  • Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County at (813) 740-4713
  • For more information about Hillsborough County Head Start’s VPK program, please contact Hillsborough County Head Start at (813) 272-5140.


To Register

Parents must bring proof of the child’s age, proof of residency, and the completed VPK Application Form to a VPK registration site. For a list of registration sites, please visit:

Hillsborough County Head Start Approved VPK Sites

Bealsville

5100 Horton Rd.
Bealsville  33566

North Tampa

14013 N. 22nd St.
Tampa, FL  33613

Fair Oaks

3202 E. Ellicott St.
Tampa, FL  33610

Nowatney

14915 Nebraska Ave.
Tampa, FL  33613

HCC Brandon

10414 Columbus Dr.
Tampa, FL  33619

Plant City

1304 Alsobrook
Plant City, FL  33563

HCC Plant City

2006 E. Cherry St.
Plant City, FL  33566

Robles Park

3814 N. Central Ave.
Tampa, FL  33603

La Paloma

3419 N. Nebraska Ave.
Tampa, FL  33605

South County

215 S. 14th Ave. S.E.
Ruskin, FL  33570

Mango

11210 Broadway Ave.
Seffner, FL  33584

Sulphur Springs

2911 E. Henry Ave.
Tampa, FL  33610

McCloud

2103 N. Rome Ave.
Tampa, FL  33607

Westgate

5506 Ambassador Dr.
Tampa, FL  33615

MOSI

4901 E. Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL  33617

West Tampa

1129 W. Main St.
Tampa, FL  33607


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