Pasco County Schools is committed to supporting families and giving every child a joyful, developmentally rich start to learning. Our Early Childhood Programs team believes learning is fun, families are essential partners in their child’s education, and high‑quality early learning experiences help children enter kindergarten confident, prepared, and excited to learn.
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) for 4‑Year‑Olds
Eligibility: Children who are 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026
What VPK Offers:
• Free, three‑hour instructional day
• Option to extend to a full school day
• Hands-on, play‑based learning aligned with Florida Early Learning and Development Standards
• Focus on early literacy, math, social–emotional development, and strong foundational skills
• Encourages creativity, exploration, problem‑solving, and joyful learning
• Located at multiple Pasco County elementary school sites
Our learning environments ensure children are safe, encouraged, and challenged—while building the essential skills needed for kindergarten success.
To submit an application, choose the VPK program year your child is eligible to attend, and follow the steps below as listed.
VPK 2026-2027 School Year Application Steps
Child must be 4 years old on or before 9/1/2026.
VPK Certificates are available beginning January 1, 2026.
Directions for Applying/Retrieving COE
Note: You DO NOT need to create a Pasco Parent Portal to apply for VPK.
Step 1: Create a FL Early Learning Family Portal and submit an application for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Certificate of Eligbility/Voucher.
Step 2: You will receive an email that your application has been approved by the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando. Sender name DO NOT REPLY. Once this email is received, log back into your FL Early Learning Family Portal and download the COE. Save file as a PDF as Last Name, First Initial COE.
CLOSED: VPK Application Window 1: Janaury 14-30, 2026
VPK Application Window 2: February 23, 2026 9:00 A.M. - March 6. 2026 5:30 P.M.
Step 3: Apply for VPK with Pasco County Schools Here
The first notification window is February 9-13, 2026.
The second notification window is March 11-25, 2026.
Note that space is limited, and applications are processed in the order received. Acceptance is not guaranteed.
Questions? Contact us at 813-981-7301
VPK 2025-2026 School Year Application Steps
Child must be 4 years old on or before 9/1/2025.
We are currently accepting applications for select school sites with waitlist or availability.
Directions for Applying/Retrieving COE
Step 1: Create a FL Early Learning Family Portal and submit an application for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Certificate of Eligibility/Voucher.
Step 2: You will receive an email that your application has been approved by the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando. Sender name DO NOT REPLY. Once this email is received, log back into your FL Early Learning Family Portal and download the COE. Save file as a PDF as Last Name, First Initial COE.
Step 3: Click this link to apply for a Pasco Schools VPK Program
Note that space is limited, and applications are processed in the order received. Acceptance is not gauranteed.
Questions? Contact us at 813-981-7301
Department Navigation
PROGRAM INFORMATION
- Head Start Application and Interview Information
- VPK Application Here
- Head Start Required Documents
- Head Start Definitions of Income
- Early Childhood Programs Site Locations Map
- School Boundaries
Policy Council
Annual Reports
Community Assessment
Important Links
Parent Engagement
Other Important Links
- HURRICANE RESOURCES
- (FDLRS) Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource Systems
- Florida Head Start Association
- Florida VPK
- Head Start/Early Head Start Welcome Video
- National Head Start Association
- Poverty Guidelines
- Head Start Community Resources (Espanol)
- Head Start Bus Van Safety Video
- Walk This Way Video
