Polk County Public Schools, Parents
Choosing a child care provider or an early education program for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. We understand how important it is to you and your family that you have the information you need to make an informed decision.
Polk County has several programs available to parents.
PreK programs are located at many public schools and contracted private child care centers. Children must qualify under the Child Care Subsidy program through Arbor E & T. To be processed, your application must have income documentation attached. Households must have an employed adult. Four year olds born on or before Sept. 1 of the school year have priority placement over 3 year olds. Fees are assessed based on a sliding fee scale. Classroom assignments are made during the summer months and/or as space becomes available.
To determine your eligibility for the Polk Pre-K Program, it will be necessary for you to print, complete and sign the Referral Form and the Terms and Conditions for the Eligibility and Enrollment Form for School Readiness Services. The Forms and ALL other required documentation must be returned to one of the addresses listed below.
By mail:
Polk County Schools PreK Programs
P O Box 391
Bartow, Florida 33831
Walk in:
Polk County Schools
Woodlake Center
3425 New Jersey Road
Lakeland, Florida 33803
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7:45 am – 4:45 pm
Arbor E & T, Lakeland Office
115 S. Missouri Avenue, 2nd Floor
Lakeland, Florida 33815
(863) 577-2450 Telephone
(800) 843-9780 Toll-Free
(863) 577-2451 Fax
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Arbor E & T, Winter Haven Satellite Office
Polk Works One-Stop Center
500 E. Lake Howard Drive
Winter Haven, FL 33881
(863)508-1100 Ext 345
(863) 291-0635 Fax
The documentation listed below MUST be attached to the Referral Form and the Terms and Conditions for the Eligibility and Enrollment Form for School Readiness Services
On the application, you will be asked to make a first and second choice of the program you would like your child to attend (program locations are listed below). When completed, the application will be processed and you will be notified as to vacancies, placements and/or considerations for the programs where you met the eligibility requirements.
UPON ENROLLMENT, you must provide proof of a physical completed within the last 12 months and a current immunization record (blue card). Immunizations are available through the health department, walk-in clinic or your private provider. A schedule of the Immunization Outreach Team is available through the local health department.
Parents should always keep current copies of physicals, immunization records and helpful information for management of health concerns or chronic illnesses of children.
Most Prek School Readiness classrooms will have space for 18 eligible children.
Child Care Resource and Referral is a FREE community service. Arbor Early Learning is the service provider of the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County for Child Care Resource and Referral Services (CCRR).
A summer VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten Program) is being planned to serve age-eligible children who have not participated in the VPK program during the past year and who will be entering a Polk County public or private kindergarten classroom this fall. The tentative sites are Blake Academy in Lakeland, Caldwell Elem. in Auburndale, Kingsford Elem. in Mulberry and Laurel Elem. in the Poinciana area. Applications are available at these sites or by calling (863) 648-3043 or (863) 648-3048.
The Child Care Subsidy Program is administered through Arbor E & T and is available through various participating child care providers. Eligibility is based on total family income and parents must be working or going to school. The program serves children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age. Fees are assessed based on a sliding fee scale. Hours of child care are determined by each child care provider.
For more information on any of these services, please visit the Early Learning Coalition website.
Before you begin, remember:
Special thanks to the Preschool Kindergarten Partnership (PKP) of Pinellas County for the development of the original booklet format of this checklist and the majority of its content.