It is difficult to believe that the school year is more than half over and summer is just around the corner.  If you have a 4-year-old, you may already be wondering what services exist next school year to prepare him or her for kindergarten.  The time is just right to learn more about Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program.

VPK is free to all children, regardless of family income, who turn 4 years of age September 1, 2014 and are residents of Florida.   The Early Learning Coalition of Brevard is the organization that determines if children are eligible for the program and provides oversight and support for the child care providers who offer VPK to the community.

Deciding where your child will attend early learning programs such as VPK can be a stressful situation for many families.  There are many factors involved in selecting quality child care and ELC can assist families through that difficult decision making process.  Contact the Coalition’s Child Care Resource and Referrals department at (321) 637-7272 and obtain valuable information about early learning programs available to your family.

The Early Learning Coalition of Brevard is prepared to begin assisting families with the VPK enrollment process beginning in March.  Many families express eagerness to obtain their VPK Certificate of Eligibility as soon as possible so that they are fully prepared for the upcoming school year.  ELC understands that families are interested in establishing their child at their VPK location of choice as early as possible so ample opportunities have been scheduled from March to August at a variety of locations throughout Brevard County.  For a complete listing of dates, times, locations and information about what you must bring with you, please visit the Coalition’s website ElcBrevard.org.