Free VPK, explained plainly
VPK in New Port Richey
Little Sunshine offers Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program. VPK instructional hours are free for eligible four-year-olds. Here’s how the certificate and enrollment steps work, and what to ask us.
- Who
- Florida four-year-olds
- Cost
- VPK hours are free
- School year
- 540 hours
- Session times
- Ask the office
Two steps, two places.
Getting the state VPK certificate and enrolling at Little Sunshine are separate steps. You need both.
State of Florida
Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility
Apply in the Family Portal with proof of your child’s age, such as an original or certified birth record, and proof of Florida residence, such as a recent utility bill or lease.
Florida Family PortalLittle Sunshine
Enroll and hand in your certificate
Schedule a tour, complete school registration and give us your certificate. Ask about session times, openings and care outside VPK hours.
Schedule A Tour
Questions about the certificate go to the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, (727) 233-8291. Questions about our VPK class go to our office at (727) 868-9100. Full guide: VPK enrollment steps in New Port Richey.
Quick check
Which year is my child’s VPK year?
Children must live in Florida and be four on or before September 1 of the school year. Birthdays from February 2 to September 1 may also wait a year.
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Turn on JavaScript to use the checker, or compare your child’s birthday with the September 1 rule above.
Enter a full date of birth to check.
What’s free, and what isn’t.
VPK covers instructional hours only. It does not make full-day child care free. Providers may charge for care outside VPK hours, but not a registration fee for VPK itself.
School-year VPK
540 instructional hours across the school year. Ask the office for Little Sunshine’s VPK session times and the cost of care outside them.
Summer VPK
300 instructional hours in the summer program. Ask the office which VPK programs Little Sunshine offers this year.
Bars are illustrations, not this school’s schedule. Source: Florida Department of Education.
A day in VPK.
Ready to learn
Children arrive for the VPK session. Ask the office for this year’s session times.
- ArrivalReady to learn. Children arrive for the VPK session. Ask the office for this year’s session times.
- MorningVPK instruction. Oral language, vocabulary, print knowledge, sounds in words and early math.
- Mid-SessionPractice through play. Centers and projects to practice the same skills: retelling stories, counting, sorting and writing names.
- OutsideBig play. Climbing, taking turns and solving problems with friends on the playground.
- After VPKCare outside VPK hours. Families who need a full day can ask whether care is available outside VPK hours and what it costs. Free VPK covers instructional hours only.
- PickupKindergarten ready. Short daily wins add up to kindergarten readiness.
A sample rhythm, not a timetable. Ask about your child’s room on your tour.
VPK questions parents ask.
Yes. Florida’s VPK program provides free instructional hours for eligible children. That does not make full-day child care free. If you need care before or after VPK hours, ask whether it’s available and what it costs.
Children who live in Florida and are four years old on or before September 1 of the school year. Children with birthdays from February 2 to September 1 may also wait and attend the following year. Use the VPK year checker above.
First, apply for your child’s VPK Certificate of Eligibility through Florida’s Family Portal with proof of age and Florida residence. Then bring the certificate to Little Sunshine to enroll. Applying for the certificate is separate from enrolling at the school.
The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, (727) 233-8291. Questions about our VPK class, session times and openings go to our office at (727) 868-9100.
Pre-K is a general name for the year before kindergarten. VPK is Florida’s free, state-funded version. Read What Is the Difference Between Pre-K and VPK in Florida?
Not for VPK itself. Providers may charge for care that is not part of VPK, such as before and after care, and families choose whether to use it.
More answers on our Parent Questions page. Ready to enroll? Read how enrollment works.
Come say hi
Come see the oaks for yourself.
A tour is the best way to see the classrooms, meet the teachers, and ask about schedules, tuition and availability.
9316 Little RdNew Port Richey, FL 34654