Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is a FREE state program designed to prepare every child in Florida for kindergarten and build the foundation for their educational success. All age eligible children are entitled to participate. The VPK mission is to ensure that all children are intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically ready to enter school and are ready to learn, fully recognizing the crucial role of parents and caregivers as their child’s first teacher.

Want to Learn More?

Watch as Moonshot Radio host Dr. Nivea L. Torres interviews Brooke Flood, School Readiness Coordinator for SDIRC and KRC Collaborative Board Member.  Brooke shares information about the kindergarten readiness programs offered through SDIRC.

A Day in the Life of a VPK'er!

Dr. Nivea L. Torres , Moonshot Radio host, interviews Brooke Flood, School Readiness Coordinator for SDIRC and KRC Collaborative Board Member, Stacey Fletcher, VPK Teacher at Vero Beach Elementary and Josie Ruggeri, PreK Teacher at Pelican Island Elementary. Join Brooke, Stacey and Josie as they share information about what a day is like for a 4 or 5 year old in a Voluntary PreKindergarten classroom.

Math is EVERYWHERE! Early Numeracy Experiences

Dr. Nivea L. Torres , Moonshot Radio host, interviews Brooke Flood, School Readiness Coordinator for SDIRC and KRC Collaborative Board Member, Stacey Fletcher, VPK Teacher at Vero Beach Elementary and Josie Ruggeri, PreK Teacher at Pelican Island Elementary. Brooke, Stacey and Josie share information about early numeracy (math) and how families can infuse math experiences into their everyday lives.

Full day VPK (540 hours) will be offered at Dodgertown Elementary, Fellsmere Elementary, Glendale Elementary, Indian River Academy, Pelican Island Elementary and Vero Beach Elementary. Your child must be 4 years old on or before September 1. If more families are interested than slots available, the slots will be filled through a computer generated random selection process (lottery).

Summer VPK is a 300 hour program offered for 6 weeks in June and July. This program will be offered on two school sites; one in North County and one in South County. You may choose which site is most convenient for your family. To be eligible for the Summer VPK program, your child must be 5 years old on or before September 1 and did NOT complete a Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten during the school year.

Step 1: Obtain a VPK Certificate of Eligibility: Complete the online registration process at: Early Learning Family Portal You will need (A) a valid email address (B) a copy or photo of your child’s birth certificate and (C) a copy or photo of one proof of address to upload. The Early Learning Coalition office (located at 2459 St. Lucie Ave (14th Ave) Vero Beach, 32960) has computers available for families who may not have a computer or smart phone. Please call 1.877.220.1223 for more information.

Step 2:  Applications will be accepted from January 11- April 1, 2021. Beginning January 11, 2021, you will be able to call our office to schedule an appointment to come to our Early Learning Programs Office to complete your child's VPK application for the 2021-2022 school year. Be sure to have ALL required documents prepared prior to scheduling your appointment. We look forward to meeting you!

• Call Claudia Viladrosa @ 772.564.4166 to check that staff will be available before coming to the Pre-K office
• ALL required documents:
  • Valid VPK Certificate of Eligibility
  • Child’s Birth Certificate
  • Proof of Residency (a bill for a service you receive in your name at your current address for example: water, cable/satellite, electricity, trash collection)
  • Child’s Social Security Card (requested but not required)

Learn about the Early Learning and Developmental Standards by visiting the Florida Office of Early Learning Website. 

Moonshot Radio Interview with Brooke Flood,

SDIRC School Readiness Coordinator

Dr. Nivea L. Torres, Moonshot Radio host, interviews Brooke Flood, School Readiness Coordinator for SDIRC and Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative Board Member. Brooke shares information about the new interactive Early Learning and Developmental Standards website. The standards and benchmarks reflect the knowledge and skills that a child on a developmental progression should know and be able to do at the end of an age-related timeframe from Birth to Kindergarten.