OCPS participates in Florida’s Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) program, offering 540 hours of learning during the school year or 300 hours during the summer. VPK is available free of charge for children who are 4 years-old by Sept. 1. Space is limited, however, and granted on a first-come, first-served basis. VPK Roundup is offered each spring and kicks off the registration process.
During the school year, OCPS offers VPK at 88 elementary schools and the Washington Shores Primary Learning Center. Various VPK program models offered during the school year are:
- Full day and half day
- Two-Way Dual Language
- Pre-K Exceptional Student Inclusion
Details and a list of the participating schools are available on the Early Childhood Program’s web page,
earlychildhood.ocps.net.
The OCPS VPK program leads students to success by offering a high-quality program that incorporates the following stimulating and developmentally appropriate practices:
- Encourages children to achieve their highest potential through healthy, innovative, educational and fun activities
- Models the character traits of honesty, respect, responsibility and kindness
- Builds a sense of community between school and family
- Values diversity by encouraging children to learn about their heritage and the heritage of others, and continually exposing children to literature, music and toys that celebrate diversity.
Extends the range of play and learning experiences outside the classroom through an emphasis on outdoor and natural learning environments, field trips and classroom visits from a wide variety of community resource representatives.
- Supports inclusion of children with special needs in the general education classroom.
- Integrates classroom centers, which support the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards, focusing on current academic themes that include opportunities for language and physical development, early literacy, writing and mathematical thinking.
For more information about VPK programs at OCPS, please visit
earlychildhood.ocps.net.