VPK and child care help for Pinellas families

Florida pays for every four-year-old's pre-K year, and School Readiness helps working families with child care. The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County, based in Clearwater, oversees both.

Last verified: October 2026

How do I sign up for VPK in Pinellas?

Request a VPK certificate of eligibility through Florida's Family Portal, then enroll at an approved provider.

The child must be 4 on or before September 1. Providers include private schools, church preschools and centers.

How many Pinellas private schools have a pre-K?

64 K-12 private schools in the Pinellas file report pre-K enrollment.

Ask each whether it is a VPK provider; not every pre-K classroom is.

What about child care for working parents?

School Readiness offers partial child care scholarships from birth to age 12 for working families within income limits.

The coalition handles eligibility and the copay.

VPK compared with paid preschool

Feature	VPK hours	Extended day / younger ages
Cost to family	Free	Tuition or School Readiness copay
Age	4 by September 1	Any age the program serves

See which Pinellas programs fit your child

Answer five short questions. A School Funding Advisor calls back with your family's funding plan, free and with no obligation.

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