Florida leads the country in providing access to early childhood education. In Florida, all children are eligible to attend a free, high-quality voluntary prekindergarten (VPK).
Children may attend VPK as soon as they are four years old. Parents who plan to hold their child back from kindergarten may wait until the following year. Attending a VPK can get children ready for kindergarten. Research from the Florida Department of Education shows children who participate in high-quality programs have better outcomes in kindergarten.
This article will explore what your child will learn in a voluntary prekindergarten education program. You will learn about the VPK curriculum and how to find a VPK near you.
Reach out to the educators at New Horizons Private School to learn about our VPK, preschool, and child care programs. Contact us with questions or schedule a tour today!
What is VPK?
Florida’s voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) program helps children across the state prepare for kindergarten success. Children in a VPK program receive high-quality care and education.
In a VPK, children build a strong foundation of essential skills. They will continue to build on this foundation throughout kindergarten and elementary schools.
A VPK follows a time-tested curriculum. The VPK curriculum focuses on developing literacy, math, and social-emotional skills. Skilled teachers lead hands-on learning activities that introduce children to these concepts in developmentally appropriate ways.
Children may attend a school year program with 540 instructional hours. They may also participate in a summer program with 300 instructional hours.
If you live in Florida and have a preschool-aged child, you are likely eligible for a VPK. Florida’s VPK program is free to all eligible children, regardless of family income. Children may be enrolled in VPK prior to the year when their child will attend kindergarten.
Parents who want to learn how to enroll their child in VPK can find information on the Florida Department of Education website. You may also contact the New Horizons Private School team to learn more.
What Do Children Learn in a Florida VPK?
High-quality VPK programs prepare children for kindergarten. Experienced educators create lessons and follow a structured curriculum that focuses on school readiness.
Here are some of the things your child will learn in VPK.
Literacy
Literacy is one of the most important aspects of a high-quality VPK program. The VPK curriculum focuses on pre-reading skills for young children. These include:
- Knowing the alphabet
- Recognizing letters
- Improving communication skills
- Knowing letter sounds
- Improving vocabulary
Children learn through hands-on, interactive activities. Instead of memorizing information, children participate in play-based learning. For example, they may sing songs, act out familiar fairy tales, or use their imaginations to create a story.
STEM
STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) is a core aspect of a modern kindergarten curriculum. A high-quality VPK program uses hands-on learning to introduce these concepts to young children.
In a VPK, children may participate in a wide range of developmentally appropriate STEM activities, including:
- Exploring weather
- Growing seeds
- Learning about the water cycle
- Noticing signs of changing seasons
- Recognizing numbers and counting
- Using simple charts to keep track of information
- Building with different materials
Children who have an introduction to these complex subjects in VPK often understand them better during kindergarten and beyond.
Social-emotional skills
The start of kindergarten can be a significant social milestone. Children are separated from caregivers all day. They must follow school rules, get along with others, and navigate complex social situations.
The VPK curriculum focuses on helping children build empathy and resilience. It provides opportunities to develop other essential social skills that benefit them in kindergarten.
In a VPK, young children practice being part of a classroom community. They learn to make friends, respect others, and listen to a teacher. These skills can help them transition more easily into a kindergarten classroom.
To learn more about school readiness and the VPK curriculum, contact the educators at New Horizons Private School.
The Benefits of Early Educational Programs or VPK
Voluntary prekindergarten programs can give children the skills they need to be successful in kindergarten. Here are some of the most important benefits of sending your child to VPK.
Cognitive skills
A VPK doesn’t just teach young children information. It can help children develop better cognitive skills, including:
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Emotional awareness
- Language skills
Children develop the ability to solve problems and think in new ways. This can benefit them as they transition into kindergarten and throughout elementary school.
Social skills
Children who have more social-emotional skills often do better in kindergarten. They may have higher self-esteem, make friends more easily, and be confident classroom community members.
Physical development
A VPK encourages children to move and explore through hands-on learning. This interactive learning can help children develop coordination, balance, fine motor skills, and other essential physical capabilities before starting kindergarten.
Find a VPK
If you are searching for a high-quality VPK in Pinellas County, contact the New Horizons educators to learn about our programs.
