Give Your Child the Best Start — Free
VPK is Florida's free prekindergarten program
for 4-year-olds. Enroll at Hidden Treasures Childcare
in Jacksonville, Duval County.
2026–2027 School Year: Your child must be born between September 2, 2021 and September 1, 2022 to be eligible. VPK is 100% free — no registration fees allowed.
What is VPK?
Florida's Free Pre-K Program
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is Florida's free prekindergarten program for 4-year-olds residing in Florida. VPK gives children a jump start by preparing them for school and enhancing their pre-reading, pre-math, language, and social skills.
Children who complete a quality VPK program arrive at kindergarten better prepared than those who do not attend a prekindergarten program.
At Hidden Treasures Childcare, we are a licensed Duval County VPK provider. Once you receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), bring it to us and we'll handle the rest
FREE
No cost to eligible families
4 Years
Children 4 on or before Sept 1
540
Instructional hours
(School Year)
K-Ready
Standards-based curriculum
Is My Child Eligible?
To qualify for VPK, your child must meet these requirements before applying through the Florida Family Portal.
How to Enroll
Your child must live in Florida. You'll need to upload proof of Florida residence (utility bill, lease, or FL driver's license) when applying.
Age Requirement
Your child must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026 for the 2026–2027 school year. Born Sept 2, 2021–Sept 1, 2022.
Proof of Age
A birth certificate or equivalent document is required to verify your child's age when completing the online VPK application.
Health Records
Once enrolled with us, you'll need up-to-date immunization records and hearing, vision, and dental certificates (or approved exemption).
Postponement option:
Florida law allows parents whose children are born between February 2 and September 1 to postpone enrolling their 4-year-old until the following year when the child turns 5.
Registering Is as Simple as 1-2-3
Follow these three steps to secure your child's free VPK spot at Hidden Treasures.
1
Create Your Account
& Apply Online
Go to the Florida Family Portal
Create a new account if you don't have one
Complete the online VPK application
Upload proof of Florida residence and child's birth certificate
2
Receive Your Certificate
of Eligibility (COE)
After your application is processed, you'll receive an email
Your COE confirms your child is approved for VPK
Application typically takes 15–30 minutes if documents are ready
Contact ELC Duval at 904-208-2044 with questions
3
Bring Your COE to
Hidden Treasures!
Bring your Certificate of Eligibility to us
Meet with our team for a one-on-one enrollment meeting
Discuss your child's unique needs and our program benefits
We'll guide you through any additional enrollment paperwork
VPK Program Types
Florida offers three VPK program formats. Hidden Treasures offers the School Year program.
Ask us about the best fit for your family.
School Year
Program
Most common · Hidden Treasures offers this
Summer
Program
Intensive · June–August
Specialized Instructional Services
Most common · Hidden Treasures offers this
Hours
Daily minimum
Class size
Teacher requirement
Schedule
540 instructional hours
3+ hours/day
4 to 20 students
CDA credential or higher
Follows DCPS school year
Hours
Daily minimum
Class size
Teacher requirement
Schedule
300 instructional hours
6+ hours/day
4 to 12 students
Certified teacher or bachelor's degree
Follows DCPS school year
Hours
Daily minimum
Class size
Teacher requirement
Schedule
Based on specialist rates
Individual or small group
Customized
FDOE-approved professionals
Flexible/customized
VPK Is Truly Free
VPK Is Truly Free
Hidden Treasures Childcare providers are not permitted to charge a registration fee or require families to agree to any additional services as a condition for enrolling in VPK.
No registration fee
No mandatory add-on services
No upfront costs to enroll
Optional fees are allowed for things not part of the VPK program, such as extended day care, field trips, late pickup charges, or wrap-around services.
Curriculum Requirements
Developmentally Appropriate
A curriculum with a strong focus on early literacy skills
Kindergarten-Ready Standards
Aligned to Florida Dept. of Education early learning standards
Pre-Reading & Pre-Math
Foundational language, literacy, and numeracy development
Social Skills Development
Building the social and emotional skills needed for kindergarten success
Frequently Asked Questions
about Applying for VPK
Where do I apply for Florida VPK?
You can find the application portal here.
What documents do I need to apply for VPK?
When completing your VPK application online, you will typically need:
Proof of Child's Age: Such as a birth certificate (child must be 4 on or before September 1st of the school year).
Proof of Florida Residency: Such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or driver's license with a Florida address. Having these documents ready will make your application process smoother.
What is the "Certificate of Eligibility (COE)" and how do I get it?
The COE is a vital document issued by the Florida ELC that confirms your child is eligible for the VPK program. You receive your COE after successfully completing your online VPK application (Step 1).
How long does it take to complete the VPK application and get my COE?
Completing the online application itself can take 15-30 minutes if you have all your documents ready.
What happens after I receive my Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?
Once you have your COE, you're ready to secure your child's spot! Contact Hidden Treasures Childcare immediately to schedule a tour and complete our enrollment process. You MUST bring your COE with you to finalize enrollment.
What if my child turns 4 after September 1st?
To be eligible for VPK in the current school year, your child must turn 4 on or before September 1st of that year. If their birthday is after September 1st, they will be eligible to apply for VPK the following school year.
What should I bring to my tour/enrollment meeting at Hidden Treasures after I have my COE?
Please bring your child's Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Our director will guide you through any additional enrollment paperwork specific to Hidden Treasures during your meeting.
Why Choose Hidden Treasures for VPK?
At Hidden Treasures Childcare, our VPK program goes beyond just learning letters and numbers. We are committed to providing a nurturing, engaging, and high-quality experience that prepares your child for kindergarten and beyond.
Experienced & Caring Educators: Our passionate teachers are dedicated to creating a warm, supportive, and stimulating environment where every child feels valued and inspired to learn.
Enrichment Programs Built-In: We integrate unique enrichment activities like Spanish, music, and enhanced reading programs directly into our VPK curriculum.
A Nurturing & Safe Environment: Our facility is designed with child safety and joyous learning in mind.
Play-Based Learning Approach: We believe children learn best through play. Our curriculum balances structured learning with plenty of opportunities for hands-on exploration, social development, and imaginative play, making learning fun and effective.
Strong Community Focus: At Hidden Treasures, your family becomes part of our family.
Give your child the gift of a joyful and enriching start to their educational journey.
Choose Hidden Treasures Childcare
for their VPK experience.
Call: +1 (904) 725-6784
Location: 1941 Dean Road, Jacksonville Florida 32216
Email: [email protected]
Copyright © 2026 Hidden Treasures. All rights reserved.
