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School Start Time Survey

Orange County Public Schools invites all families, employees and community members to participate in the School Start Times Survey to help the district decide whether to change school start times for high schools and elementary schools. Your participation is important because it ensures all our families’ voices are heard in this process.

Florida Statute mandates that school districts set middle and high school start times later in the morning, unless the district can provide a report including how their students, employees, families and community members feel about the change.

Research stresses the importance of middle and high school students getting enough sleep, and moving high school start times to later in the morning may help. Under the proposed change, elementary schools would start earlier than middle schools and high schools.

Please take a moment to answer the questions to this survey.

Click here to complete the survey.

23 hours ago

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Early Childhood Home

Early Childhood Education

Welcome to the Early Childhood Program website. Our team is dedicated and committed to providing support, resources and advocacy for the protection and continuance of developmentally appropriate and child-centered practices in the early childhood classroom environment.

Give your child the strongest start. Discover the power of early learning with OCPS.

At Orange County Public Schools, we believe every child deserves a bright beginning. Our Early Childhood Department is dedicated to providing high-quality, nurturing, and engaging learning experiences that set the foundation for lifelong success.

Why Early Childhood Education Matters:

The first few years of a child's life are a period of incredible growth and development. High-quality early childhood education:

  • Builds Essential Skills: Fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, language, literacy, and mathematical understanding.
  • Nurtures Social-Emotional Growth: Helps children develop self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, and positive relationships through programs like Conscious Discipline.
  • Prepares for Kindergarten: Equips children with the knowledge and readiness they need to thrive as they transition to elementary school.
  • Promotes Overall Well-being: Supports cognitive, physical, and emotional health, setting the stage for future academic and life achievements.

Contact Us:

Pamela Clark
Senior Administrator, Early Childhood
407-317-3200 Ext. 200-4611
Pamela.Clark@ocps.net

Kimberly Peña-Rodriguez
Program Coordinator
407-317-3200 Ext. 635-2263
Kimberly.Pena-Rodriguez@ocps.net

How to Apply for VPK

Here's a 3-step guide to help families apply for a VPK Eligibility Certificate and complete enrollment, including the additional documentation required by OCPS (Orange County Public Schools):

✅ Step 1: Apply Online for the VPK Certificate

Upload the following documents:

  • Proof of Florida residency (e.g., utility bill, lease, driver's license)
  • Proof of child's age (e.g. birth certificate, passport)

Once approved, you'll receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) via email or portal download.

✅ Step 2: Choose a VPK Provider

  • Select link to view a list of VPK providers within Orange County Public Schools.
  • You may also contact the Early Learning Coalition to find a participating VPK provider near you.

✅ Step 3: Enroll with Your VPK Provider

  • Bring your Certificate of Eligibility to your selected VPK provider to complete enrollment.
  • For OCPS, you'll also need to provide the following:
    • Your child's birth certificate
    • Two proofs of residency
    • Florida School Entry Health Exam (Form DH 3040)
    • Immunization Form (DH 680)
    • Select link to visit the OCPS required registration documents webpage

Please note the following important information regarding VPK registration:

  • All VPK registrations must be completed online using a computer or smartphone by visiting the Family Services website.
  • The VPK application is available in multiple languages to support families of diverse backgrounds.
  • For assistance with your online application, please contact the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County at (407) 841-6607.
  • Enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Standard VPK classes can accommodate up to 20 students. Once a class reaches full capacity, applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
    • Please note: The VPK inclusion class has a maximum enrollment of 18 students.

Below is a list of schools that have two or more spaces/seats available in their VPK program. 
An * denotes a half day program (AM only or AM/PM)

School Name School Zone
Azalea Park E
Baldwin Park * E
Brookshire * E
Camelot * E
Castle Creek E
Chickasaw E
Deerwood * E
Engelwood E
Forsyth Woods E
Union Park E
Lake Gem N
Lockhart N
Princeton * N
Ridgewood Park N
Rolling Hills N
Rosemont N
Hidden Oaks * SE
Shenandoah SE
Three Points SE
Andover * SE/IO
OCPS Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) SW
Palmetto SW
Waterbridge *** (PP/Plus) SW
Shingle Creek SW/IO
Atwater Bay * W
Dillard Street * W
Keene’s Crossing * W
Ocoee W
Orange Center W
Pine Hills W
Sunridge * W
Thornebrooke * W
Tildenville * W
Water Spring * W
Whispering Oak * W
Ivey Lane W/ST
Rock Lake W/ST
Washington Shores PLC W/ST

VPK Program Availability by School

Please Note: Enrollment data is highly fluid and updated frequently. The information provided on this website is for general reference only. For the most current and authoritative enrollment information, parents and guardians must reach out directly to the school office.

  •  

    School Name Zip Code Program Type
    Lakeville 32703 Full-Day
    Killarney 32789 Full-Day
    Brookshire * 32792 Half Day
    Lake Silver 32804 Full-Day
    Princeton * 32804 Half-Day
    OCPS Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) 32805 Full-Day
    Orange Center 32805 Full-Day
    Pineloch 32805 Full-Day
    Rock Lake 32805 Full-Day
    Washington Shores PLC 32805 Full-Day
    Azalea Park 32807 Full-Day
    Engelwood 32807 Full-Day
    Forsyth Woods 32807 Full-Day
    Ridgewood Park 32808 Full-Day
    Rolling Hills 32808 Full-Day
    Rosemont 32808 Full-Day
    Lockhart 32810 Full-Day
    Ivey Lane 32811 Full-Day
    Shenandoah 32812 Full-Day
    Lake Gem 32818 Full-Day
    Chickasaw 32822 Full-Day
    Three Points 32822 Full-Day
    Andover * 32825 Half-Day
    Deerwood * 32825 Half-Day
    Camelot * 32828 Half-Day
    Castle Creek 32828 Full-Day
    Hidden Oaks * 32829 Half-Day
    Waterbridge *** (VPK Plus) 32837 Full-Day
    Palmetto 32839 Full-Day
    Shingle Creek 32839 Full-Day
    Thornebrooke * 34761 Half-Day
    Keene’s Crossing * 34783 Half-Day
    Atwater Bay * 34787 Half-Day
    Dillard Street * 34787 Half-Day
    Sunridge * 34787 Half-Day
    Tildenville * 34787 Half-Day
    Water Spring * 34787 Half-Day
    Whispering Oak * 34787 Half-Day

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