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

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 2024-2025 school year.

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

M-DCPS’ VPK Program uses a lottery to select students. After submitting proof of birth and address to their home/neighborhood school before the February 23, 2024, deadline, families will be entered into the VPK lottery. The lottery will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024. Children, whose names are drawn from the lottery, will be selected to attend the program.

Seats may be available at some schools, after the lottery date. Parents, whose children were not selected at their home school, will receive information regarding an online off-cycle lottery opportunity to secure a seat for their child. For assistance, parents should contact the Department of Early Childhood Programs at 305-995-7632. A required 2024 VPK Program Certificate of Eligibility may be obtained online at the Department of Early Learning Coalition website: www.vpkhelp.org.

Head Start/Early Head Start Programs: 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 birth to age 5 from income-eligible families. Children with disabilities are included in the programs and receive a full range of developmental services.

Applications for enrollment for both programs are accepted year-round. For more information, registration requirements, online applications and a full listing of program sites visit headstart.dadeschools.net or www.miamidade.gov/headstart.

Pre-K ESE Role Models Program: General education role model students are needed for a limited number of slots in Pre-K Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs across the district. This program offers a free, full-day, or half-day opportunity for qualifying students. Students are eligible beginning on their third birthday and must have age-appropriate language and social skills because they will serve as models for children with disabilities.

This Pre-K ESE 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 ESE 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 earlychildhood.dadeschools.net or call 305-995-7632.

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