Becoming a VPK Provider
Congratulations! You’re on Your Way.
Here is a useful guide from ELC Broward to help complete your checklist:
- Providers interested in becoming a Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Provider in Broward County should create an account on Florida’s Provider Portal at: https://providerservices.floridaearlylearning.com/Account/Login.
- All contracts and documents are completed and submitted through the electronic Provider Portal.
- Once your account is active, you will complete and submit a profile for your program. Be sure to answer “yes” when asked if you would like to complete a contract to participate in the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program.
- Once your profile is activated by an ELC Provider Relations Specialist, forms OEL-VPK 20 and VPK 10,11a,11b (also known as the VPK Application) will be initiated for you to complete.
- Complete all sections of the VPK Application, upload all supporting documents requested, and sign/certify the application to submit it for review.
- Review the OEL-VPK 20 in its entirety to verify the accuracy of your information and to ensure you understand your rights and responsibilities as a VPK provider.
- Sign and certify the OEL-VPK 20 form to submit it for review. Please note that both the application and OEL-VPK 20 forms must be submitted for ELC Provider Relations staff to review.
- If you need any assistance throughout this process, please call 954-377-2188 and ask to speak with a Provider Relations Specialist.
You must have one copy of the following for each credentialed VPK Instructor (lead teacher):
- Child Development Associate (CDA) or Florida Child Care Professional Certificate (FCCPC) earned within the last five (5) years; or
- an associate degree or higher in Child Development; or
- an associate degree or higher in an unrelated field, with at least 6 credit hours in early childhood education or child development, and at least 480 hours of experience in teaching or providing childcare services for children any age from birth to 8 years of age; or
- a bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education, prekindergarten or primary education, preschool education, or family and consumer science; or
- a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, if the pre-k instructor has been certified to teach children any age from birth through 6th grade, with a Florida Educator’s Certificate, regardless whether the certificate is current or not, and has not had this educator certificate suspended or revoked. (Please note that a teaching degree from another country must be evaluated and translated by an accredited organization and submitted to DCF for approval.)
- Copy of the required 15 hours of Emergent Literacy Requirements
- Copy of completed Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classroom: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten
- Copy of Background screening conducted by the DCF Clearinghouse.
- Copy of a notarized Affidavit of Good Moral Character.
New VPK Director Requirement - must be Endorsed (as of November 23, 2021)
Copy of all the courses below. All the courses can be taken online through the DCF Training Registry
- Florida Director's Credential
- Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classroom: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten
- Emergent Literacy for VPK Instructions
- VPK Director Credential
- Mathematical Thinking for Early Learners
- Language and Vocabulary in the VPK Classroom
You must include the following for each VPK aide/assistant:
- Copy of Background screening conducted by the DCF Clearinghouse.
- Copy of a notarized Affidavit of Good Moral Character.
- Best Practice for VPK Assistants to complete Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classroom: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten
For more information visit: http://www.floridaearlylearning.com/providers.aspx
For background screening information go to: www.dcfbackgroundscreening.com
The FAST STAR Early Learning Assessment:
We are looking forward to another great VPK Program year. As we prepare for the 2023-2024 program year, we have a few important reminders and updates.
We are excited to share that all VPK programs will be on one VPK Renaissance Testing Site beginning with the 2023-24 VPK Program Year.
You are encouraged to bookmark this link on your web browser,
https://global-zone05.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/7957988
.
VPK FAST Star Early Literacy Technical Assistance and Support
- Renaissance Place Help Desk and Technical Assistance Team can be contacted at 1-800-338-4204 or by completing this form for a Renaissance representative.
- Florida Department of Education, Division of Early Learning’s VPK Program and Policy Team can be contacted at VPKFAST@del.fldoe.org.
Please do not hesitate to contact your early learning coalition if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued dedication to serving Florida’s children and families.
If you experience issues setting up your tablet, please use the document below to troubleshoot. (Broward Providers)
/sites/default/files/documents/Tablet%20Trouble%20shooting.pdf
You must include one copy of the following for each credentialed VPK Instructor:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher in early childhood education, prekindergarten or primary education, preschool education, or family and consumer science; or a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, if the pre-k instructor has been certified to teach children any age from birth through 6th grade, with a Florida Educator’s Certificate, regardless whether the certificate is current or not, and has not had this educator certificate suspended or revoked.
- A valid (current) Florida Educator Certificate (Please note that a teaching degree from another country must be evaluated and translated by an accredited organization and submitted to DCF for approval.)
- Copy of Background screening conducted by the DCF Clearinghouse.
- Copy of a notarized Affidavit of Good Moral Character.
- Copy of the required 15 hours of Emergent Literacy Requirements
- Copy of completed Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classroom: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten
For more information visit: http://www.floridaearlylearning.com/providers.aspx
For background screening information go to: www.dcfbackgroundscreening.com