VPK
Voluntary Prekindergarten is a free program for children who live in Florida and turn 4 by September 1. The school year program is 540 hours and the summer program is 300 hours.
Find Florida Daycare, Preschool and VPK
Search licensed daycare in Florida, plus preschool and VPK centers. Every center shows its Florida license and a link to its record on Florida DCF.
Listings come from Florida DCF's public licensing data
These badges appear on many listings. Here is what each one means.
These badges appear on many listings. Here is what each one means.
Voluntary Prekindergarten is a free program for children who live in Florida and turn 4 by September 1. The school year program is 540 hours and the summer program is 300 hours.
School Readiness helps eligible working families pay for child care. Local Early Learning Coalitions decide who qualifies. Look for the Accepts School Readiness badge on a listing.
Gold Seal Quality Care is a Florida designation for child care providers that meet accreditation requirements. Centers with it show a gold badge on their listing.
Every listing shows the center's Florida license number, status and expiration date. Only centers with a Licensed status get the green label.
Each listing links to the center's record on Florida DCF, where inspection reports are kept. Check it before you visit.
Tour in person. Ask about staff, the daily schedule and how the center keeps parents informed. Compare the programs and services each listing shows.
Yes. VPK is free for children who live in Florida and turn 4 by September 1. Look for the VPK badge on a listing, then ask the center which program it runs, school year or summer.
Apply online through the state's Family Portal. You will need your child's birth certificate, your ID and proof that you live in Florida. Your Early Learning Coalition reviews the application. Once it is approved, you download a Certificate of Eligibility and give it to a VPK provider.
It depends on the center, your child's age and the hours you need, and rates change often, so we don't list prices. Ask each center for its current rates when you call or visit.
For licensed child care centers, Florida sets these minimums: one adult for every 4 infants, 6 one year olds, 11 two year olds, 15 three year olds, 20 four year olds and 25 children age five and older. Check Florida DCF for the current rules, since the state can change them.
Ask about staff training and turnover, the daily schedule, how the center handles illness and emergencies, and how it keeps parents updated. Bring the license number from the listing and ask to see the latest inspection report.
Open the center's listing. It shows the license number, the status and the expiration date. Licensed centers get a green label. Every listing also links to the center's record on Florida DCF, where inspection reports are kept.
It means the center is listed as an active School Readiness provider in Florida DCF data. School Readiness helps eligible working families pay for child care. Your local Early Learning Coalition decides who qualifies.
Listings come from Florida DCF's public licensing data, and each listing shows a Last checked date. If something looks wrong, use the DCF link to see the state's record.
Start with a center name, a city or a ZIP code. A license number works too.