Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is a free, state-funded program that prepares children for kindergarten. Children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1 of the school year in which they are enrolling.

Guided by the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for 4 year olds, the program provides developmentally appropriate activities in literacy, language, science, social studies, math, health and safety, art and music.

Developing skills children need to be strong readers improves their chances success in school. Most classes have 18 to 20 students and are staffed with a certified teacher and a child development associate. Some classes are blended to include students who receive exceptional student education services. Follow your child’s development using the FOURS Child Development Checklist & Tips booklet.

Questions about VPK? Call 727-588-6513

To attend VPK, all students must have a Certificate of Eligibility (voucher) from the Early Learning Coalition. Please visit www.vpkpinellas.net to apply for the voucher. Families must have the voucher when they enroll at the school. For information about the Certificate of Eligibility, please call the Early Learning Coalition at (727) 400-4411. Please note that VPK programs have limited availability.

Get your User ID and Password

Go to any nearby school to obtain a User ID and Password (if you don’t already have one for another child in your family). Make sure to bring a government-issued photo ID.

Apply for a VPK seat

Log onto the Student Reservation System (SRS) at https://reservation.pcsb.org . Use any computer, including school computers to apply for a seat.

Enroll at the school

Schools will call if they have an opening.  To enroll, bring your Certificate of Eligibility (voucher) and the following documents:  birth certificate/proof of child’s age, Florida Certificate of Immunization (DH Form 680), physical examination certificate by a licensed examiner, and proof of residency (two forms of documentation required).

At all VPK programs, students attend free for three hours each day, Monday through Friday. Next school year, Pinellas County Schools will offer free, full-day, six-hour VPK at 25 select locations:

Bay Point Elementary, Bear Creek Elementary, Belleair Elementary, Blanton Elementary, Campbell Park Elementary, Dunedin Elementary, Eisenhower Elementary, Fairmount Park Elementary, Gulfport Elementary, High Point Elementary, Kings Hwy Elementary, Lakewood Elementary, Lealman Ave Elementary, Maximo Elementary, Melrose Elementary, Mount Vernon Elementary, New Heights Elementary, Pinellas Park Elementary, Ponce de Leon Elementary, Seventy-Fourth Street Elementary, Sexton Elementary, Skycrest Elementary, Skyview Elementary, Tarpon Springs Elementary, Woodlawn Elementary

See a full list of VPK sites below.

• Dual Language VPK is available at Garrison-Jones Elementary, where students spend half the day learning in English and half the day learning in Spanish. Many students in this program apply for the K-5 dual language program at the school.
• Kings Highway Early Childhood Center is located at the Kings Highway Center for Innovation and Digital Learning. The school provides several early childhood programs, including VPK, where students receive violin instruction twice a week and have additional technology in the classrooms.

2021-2022 School Year VPK Sites

√ = Free, Full Day VPK Program