Enrollment for M-DCPS Early Childhood Programs, VPK is Open

Applications for children aged 3 and 4 years old are now being accepted for the 2020-2021 school year.

 

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (M-DCPS) Department of Early Childhood Programs, “where learning begins,” has launched its Ready, Set, Enroll! campaign with a variety of early childhood education and Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) programs for the 2020-2021 school year.

 

Florida’s VPK Education Program: VPK, a free program that prepares 4-year-olds for kindergarten and beyond, is available in more than 200 schools countywide. Children must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2020 to enroll. A list of participating schools is available at http://earlychildhood.dadeschools.net.  

 

M-DCPS’ VPK Program utilizes a lottery to select students. After submitting proof of birth and address to their home/neighborhood school before the deadline, families will be entered into the VPK lottery. The lottery will be held on February 28, 2020. All VPK applications mut be submitted prior to that date. Children whose names are drawn in the lottery will be selected to attend the program. Open seats will be available at select schools after the lottery date, so parents whose children were not selected in the lottery should contact the Department of Early Childhood Programs at 305-995-7632 for assistance in finding an opening at one of those schools. Parents may obtain their required VPK Program Certificate of Eligibility online at the Early Learning Coalition’s website: http://www.vpkhelp.org.

 

Head Start Program: Provided in partnership with Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services, the M-DCPS Head Start program is a federally-funded, comprehensive, child development program serving children, from low-income families, who will be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2020. Children with disabilities are included in the program and receive a full range of developmental services.

 

Eligibility for Head Start is based on family income at or below the federal poverty level. The recruitment period for the 2020-2021 school year begins January 21st. Families can apply by visiting any of the 34 Miami-Dade Head Start sites across the county and completing an application. A list of the participating schools is available by visiting headstart.dadeschools.net.

 

Reverse Mainstream Program:  General education role model students are needed for a limited number of slots in Pre-K special education reverse mainstream programs across the District. This program offers a free, full-day or half-day opportunity for qualifying students. Students must be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, and must have age-appropriate language and social skills; as they will serve as models for children with disabilities. This curriculum is robust and offers students an opportunity to learn pre-reading, math, science and social studies, as well as develop their social skills in a school setting. Parents should inquire at their home/neighborhood school or call the Pre-K Special Education office at 305-271-5701 to identify programs near their homes. Role models in the Reverse Mainstream program are invited to attend school for a few days in the spring so that teachers may determine their readiness for this program.

 

For more information, please visit http:/earlychildhood.dadeschools.net or call 305-995-7632.

 

Short videos relative to Early Childhood Programs may be viewed by clicking on the following links:

 

Head Start: Literacy with Parent Focus	https://vimeo.com/217546394
Head Start: Comprehensive Services	https://vimeo.com/217546221
PreK: Technology	https://vimeo.com/213717945
PreK: SPED	https://vimeo.com/213717721
A Day in PreK: Small Group Instruction	https://vimeo.com/204403465
A Day in PreK: Centers	https://vimeo.com/204403266
A Day in PreK: Building Blocks	https://vimeo.com/204402909
A Day in PreK: Creative Arts	https://vimeo.com/204403073

 

 

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