Prekindergarten enrollment is open for Collier County Public Schools. The goal of this high-quality early childhood education program is to prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond. Comprehensive resources for social-emotional development, health and nutrition, and family engagement are provided. Children and families participating in CCPS Pre-K enjoy various educational opportunities.
“There are a number of reasons why a parent would want to choose CCPS Pre-K for their child,” explains Elizabeth McBride, director of Early Learning for CCPS. “Our school district hires only highly qualified teachers with Florida certification and uses an age-appropriate curricula that offers a strong emphasis on early literacy skills. In addition, our staff-to-child ratio is 1 to 10 or lower, which provides for more individualized attention and care.”
When it comes to Pre-K programs, CCPS has several options for parents to consider.
▶ FULL-DAY HEAD START PRE-K PROGRAM (NO COST TO PARENTS)
The Head Start program, offered at multiple sites, is available to children of disadvantaged families and requires pre-approval. Eligible children must turn 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1. Here are just a few examples that would qualify a student for Head Start:
- Children in foster care
- Families experiencing homelessness or house sharing (living “doubled-up” due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons)
- Families receiving public assistance (TANF, SSI, SNAP)
- Families earning below the Federal Poverty Guideline
▶ FULL-DAY VPK PROGRAM (COMBINED WITH PARENT PAY)
Offered at multiple sites, the full-day VPK program is limited to space availability, and parents are responsible for additional fees. Eligible children must turn 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2024. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
▶ HALF-DAY VPK AT SABAL PALM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (NO COST TO PARENTS)
The half-day VPK program is limited to space availability and offers three-hour morning and afternoon sessions. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition to the choices above, services may also be available for children with disabilities. Parents should contact the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resource System (FDLRS) at (239) 337-8199 to request a free developmental screening.
“Space is limited, and seats fill up fast,” adds McBride. “I encourage parents to start the enrollment process as soon as possible to ensure they are able to get a spot in their preferred school.”
For more information regarding CCPS Pre-K, including a step-by-step guide to enrollment, please visitcollierschools.com/prek. Our wonderful Pre-K staff is always available to answer questions by calling (239) 377-0590 or emailing prek@collierschools.com.
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