Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VPK
VPK is the acronym for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten. This is the voluntary initiative that was passed by Florida voters in November 2002 and started in August 2005. This constitutional amendment basically states that every child that is four years old on or before September 1 will have access to FREE pre-kindergarten learning programs through approved providers. Noah’s Ark Christian Preschool has been an approved provider since the program started.
Specifically, the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Education Program (VPK) was designed to prepare 4-year-olds for kindergarten and lay the foundation for educational success. To be eligible for this program a child must live in Florida and have attained 4 years of age on or before September 1 of the school year. More information, as well as a preliminary application can be be found at the website www.seminoleearlylearning.org for parents that have an interest in VPK and enrollment in it.
SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT VPK & NOAH’S ARK
In choosing to be a VPK provider (11/12 will be the 7th year participating) Noah’s Ark Christian Preschool has also chosen to offer an Enrichment Program in addition to VPK, to meet many parent’s needs.
While VPK is a good program that contributes to a child’s readiness for kindergarten, it is limited as to what can be accomplished with it. The Enrichment Program gives parents an option to take advantage of the FREE VPK program while also paying for the Enrichment Program that will enhance their child’s learning and kindergarten readiness. BOTH OPTIONS ARE QUALITY CHOICES FOR PARENTS, but have differences as shown in the following chart.
| Feature: | VPK ONLY: | VPK with Enrichment: |
| Registration / Supply Fee | No | Yes |
| Program Offering | M – F 8:15a.m.-11:15a.m. or 9:45a.m. – 12:45p.m. |
M – F 7:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. (May drop off by 8:30a.m. and pickup any time prior to 4p.m.) |
| Certificate of Eligibility Required | Yes | Yes |
| Additional Program Options at Parent’s Expense | None available. | M – F 4:00-5:00p.m. as needed and as available on a daily basis. |
| Teacher – Child Ratio | 1 to 10 or 2 to 13 | 1 to 10 or 2 to 13 |
| Curriculum | Wee Learn (faith-based) | Wee Learn and modified Abeka (both faith-based) |
| Chapel | Yes | Yes |
| Memorize Bible verses | Yes | Yes |
| Taught Bible stories | Yes | Yes |
| Color and Shape recognition taught | Yes | Yes |
| Letter and Sound recognition taught | Yes | Yes |
| Number and Value recognition taught | Yes | Yes |
| Rote Counting | Yes | Yes |
| Beginning addition | No | Yes |
| Extended practice in sorting, patterning, matching and classifying | No | Yes |
| Two-letter blending | No | Yes |
| Three-letter word building | No | Yes |
| Beginning to read | No | Yes |
| Practice spelling and writing out 3-letter words | No | Yes |
| Gymnastics | No | Yes, Friday afternoons, included in cost. |
| Snacks, Meals and Drinks | None provided – children bring own. | AM snack and drink provided, included in cost. |
| Pizza | No | Yes, available for purchase on Wednesdays. |
Regardless of the program chosen it is the Preschool’s desire and intent for all children to have a positive preschool experience and leave prepared to be successful in kindergarten as much as is in the Preschool’s control.