VPK / School Readiness

Funding Information for Childcare Services and/or Tuition!

Florida’s School Readiness Program or SR offers financial assistance to eligible low-income families for early education and care so they can become financially self-sufficient and their young children can be successful in school in the future. Services vary based on individual needs and range from extended day care to after-school and school-age care in some instances.

Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program or VPK is a free educational program that prepares 4-year-olds for kindergarten and beyond. Children must live in Florida and be 4 on or before September 1 of the school year they enroll. Parents can choose from private child care centers or public schools and school-year or summer programs. Parents of 4-year-olds with special needs have an option outside the classroom setting ‒ VPK Specialized Instructional Services (VPK-SIS).

Sign up Here: Early Learning Family Portal: Home (floridaearlylearning.com)

State Scholarships: Step Up For Students offers four scholarships in Florida; Florida Tax Credit, Family Empowerment (formally Gardiner/Special Need), Hope and Reading.

Scholarships | Step Up For Students

On May 11, 2021 Governor DeSantis signed a bill that expands eligibility for scholarships through Step Up For Students.

Effective July 1, 202), the following students are now eligible for a scholarship through Step Up For Students:

• Students of families with higher income (i.e. nearly $100,000 for a family of 4), regardless of if the student is already attending a private school
• Siblings of Family Empowerment Scholarship (formerly Gardiner) students, regardless of the household income
• Dependent children of an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces, regardless of the household income
• Students with one of the following diagnoses:
  • Speech impairment
  • Language impairment
  • Orthopedic impairment
  • Emotional or behavioral disability
  • Specific learning disability, including but not limited to dyslexia, dyscalculia, or developmental aphasia
  • Other health impairment (For a definition of “other health impairment,” please click here.)

Read about the new legislation:

To read about the legislation, including any changes to the scholarship programs, and answers to some Frequently Asked Questions, please click here. (Note: We encourage you to check the legislative updates page often for updated information, including additional FAQs.)

You may also read this article on redefinED.

If you have any questions, you can contact Step Up at info@stepupforstudents.org or by calling the Service Center at 877-735-7837. The Service Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET. You may also contact them through the Online Chat option on the website at www.StepUpForStudents.org.

Find Out More: Scholarships For Private School | Step Up For Students