Catherine Stebbins, Manager of Early Childhood Services
3639 W. Waters Avenue, Suite 500
Tampa, FL 33614
Phone number:  813-272-5140 x3150
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:

• Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County-VPK Information
  

Eligibility

If you live in Florida and have a child who turns 4 years of age by September 1, your child is eligible for Florida’s FREE VPK program. 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:

• Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County-Registration Locations
  
  

Hillsborough County Head Start Approved VPK Sites