St. Lucie County Expands Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)

Any child that lives in Florida and turns four years of age by September 1, 2008 is eligible for a free state pre kindergarten program called the Voluntary PreKindergarten (VPK)program. This program consists of 540 instructional hours and is offered through both private and public providers.

Kidzone Preschool Academy is a registered VPK provider!

Parents can enroll their children in a school-year program that translates to about three hours a day either with a participating school district or private provider.

"The program is making a difference to help with the transition into kindergarten," said Ann Archer, director of the Early Learning Coalition for St. Lucie County.

VPK Registration Process

• Must be 4 years old as of Sept. 1,2008

• Enrollment available online at  www.vpkflorida.org

• Parents will get a registration letter that must be brought to the selected voluntary pre kindergarten site at enrollment time.

• St. Lucie residents can call the Early Learning Coalition for St. Lucie County (772) 595-6363 to register for the program. Parents must visit the Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County office, 509 Georgia Ave., Fort Pierce, to get their letter of eligibility.