FORT MYERS — Registration for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is now open for the 2023-2024 school year in Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades Counties. The free educational program is available to 4-year-olds that reside in Florida, regardless of family income.

Voluntary Prekindergarten is designed to give children a jump-start for school by incorporating early literacy and math, language and social skills. VPK classrooms are taught by highly qualified teachers with a focus on school readiness and social and emotional well-being. By developing the early skills children need to become strong students, they are more likely to be successful in school.

To be eligible, children must live in Florida and be 4-years-old on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year. Through the Early Learning Coalition of SWFL, parents can register their qualifying child to attend 540 hours of preschool during the regular school year, or 300 hours of summertime preschool. In 2021-2022, Early Learning Coalition reported 7,464 children attended 260 different VPK programs in Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades Counties.

To register, families must first apply for a VPK voucher online at VPKSWFL.org. Individuals can also visit the Early Learning Coalition office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for assistance, located at 2675 Winkler Ave., Suite 300 in Fort Myers. The office provides free kiosks, and no appointments are needed.

To learn more about the 2023-2024 VPK program, visit VPKSWFL.org or call 239-935-6100.

About Early Learning Coalition of SWFL

Supported by a Florida Department of Education grant, the Early Learning Coalition of SWFL exists to enhance the quality of children’s lives by providing families, early childhood educators, caregivers and community partners in Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties, with opportunities to positively impact the future. To learn more, visit ELCofSWFL.org or call 239-935-6100.