PINELLAS COUNTY – Recognizing that 90 percent of brain development occurs before a child starts kindergarten, early experiences are crucial to their success. The foundation built during the first five years of a child’s life can put them on a path to success.
Success for your three and four-year-olds starts with Pinellas County Schools (PCS) PreK and VPK programs. Immerse your child in a world of learning. Affordable full-day options are available for the next school year; space is limited. Apply now by Dec. 13 at 5 p.m.
In the State of Florida, Pinellas County Schools follow the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards (FELDS) in PreK. Therefore, preschoolers engage in various activities that stimulate their social and emotional development, physical development, approaches to learning language and literacy, mathematical thinking, scientific inquiry, social studies and creative expression through the arts.
PCS daily activities:
- All students are offered breakfast before school.
- Students are engaged in a morning circle with their peers and their teachers in the classroom.
- Students engage in activities that foster a sense of social skills, belonging, and community.
- Students have daily learning circles, a favorite time for the little ones.
- Small group instruction with developmentally appropriate learning
- Art, music, and movement
- Lunch
- Outside learning
- Rest time
- Daily reflection
- P.E.
- Closing circle
The PreK-3 program is designed for three-year-old students, and the voluntary pre-kindergarten, or VPK, program is designed for four-year-olds. Also, the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program is an extensive and comprehensive program for students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). It is offered for students ages 3-5 years old.
ESE families do not need to apply for the PreK-3 or VPK programs if they have an IEP and, in some cases, a Family Service Plan. If you have any ESE questions, please get in touch with Cindy Petty at 727-793-2717 ext. 2354 or visit pcsb.org/PreKESE.
For PreK-3 and VPK, your student must be that age by Sept. 1.
PreK-3 is a full-day tuition-based program costing $130 a week. There’s a $130 non-refundable registration fee associated with your application.
Schools offering FREE PreK 3 include:
- Campbell Park Elementary
- Fairmount Park Elementary
- Kings Highway Elementary
- Lakewood Elementary
- Maximo Elementary
- Melrose Elementary
VPK is a half or full-day program. If you select the full-day program, there is a $ 100-a-week tuition with a $100 non-refundable registration fee. However, for VPK-only families who qualify for free and reduced lunch meals, you will qualify for FREE full-day VPK districtwide. This year, PCS is prioritizing families’ selection of the full-day program option.
Full-time Pinellas County Schools employees receive FREE PreK-3 and VPK tuition at all its elementary school sites.
Each class has at least two adults in the classroom, and before and aftercare is available at most sites, but space is very limited.
PreK-3 and VPK are lottery-based, so make sure your application is completed by Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. Some sites offer before and aftercare. Check the school’s website to see if they provide those services.
Also, there is no transportation available to the sites.
Student Reservation System (SRS)
SRS is an online system used to apply for PreK-3 and VPK. It is user-friendly, and the steps are in sequential order, guiding you through exactly what you need. You can access the application at reservation.pcsb.org or scan the QR code below.
Now through Dec. 13 at 5 p.m., you can apply for a seat. Enter the required information and select up to two schools of choice. Your school of choice may not be your child’s school for kindergarten. PCS does not have programs at every single school that accompanies kindergarten transition.
On Dec. 14, parents will receive a reminder phone call to log back into SRS to see the results of their application from Dec. 15 to Jan. 13. Dec. 16 through Jan. 13 is when you can accept a seat. Once you accept a seat, you will come off the waitlist.
Once you’ve logged in and selected what school you would like your child to attend, you can go to the school and enroll between Jan. 22 and Feb. 2.
The documents that you need for enrollment at the school:
- Birth certificate
- Proof of residency (2 forms)
- Child’s immunization record
- A physical examination by a doctor
- Certificate of Eligibility or confirmation number (for VPK)
School enrollment starts Jan. 1. If you do not enroll at the school you selected between Jan. 22 and Feb. 2, you will lose your seat.
You can start applying for the Certificate of Eligibility on Jan. 1, which is only required for VPK students. You will need an email account. To apply, visit ELCPinellas.org. You must register for an account and follow their steps to complete an application. To be eligible, you must upload your photo identification, proof of Florida residency, and proof of the child’s age.
Within 10 days, you will receive an email notification from the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas after the application has been reviewed. You must log back into your account to ensure it’s been reviewed and print the Certificate of Eligibility or confirmation number. You must take that Certificate of Eligibility to the school before enrollment is complete.
If you need help applying after Jan. 1, please get in touch with the Early Learning Coalition at 727-400-4411 or visit ELCPinellas.org.
If you need to know your school zone, go to pcsb.org/zone. For early childhood programming, you don’t have to enroll at your zoned school, but it is an excellent way to connect to that school before kindergarten.
If you still have questions, Call Early Childhood Education at 727-588-6513.
Discover more at pcsb.org/early.
