Now Accepting Applications

Polk County Schools' PreK Programs are now accepting requests for full pay applications for the 2013-2014 school year. To request an application please call (863) 648-3047 or send an e-mail to joanne.vazquez@polk-fl.net with the following information:

  • Parent/Legal guardian name
  • School Choice
  • Child’s Name
  • Child’s DOB
  • Contact Number
  • Address

To obtain an application for subsidized funds contact Polk County Early Learning Coalition: 733-9064.

Full Pay Slots

No registration fee. No supply fee. Only pay for days schools are open.

School Readiness offers a limited number of Full Pay slots with priority given to 4 year olds who will enter Kindergarten in the fall of 2014.

About PreK School Readiness

The PreK School Readiness Program is funded through a contract with the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County. Polk families have many different child care needs. In order to help meet these needs, the Polk PreK School Readiness Program and Early Learning Coalition have partnered together. The ELC is authorized by the Start of Florida to determine program eligibility for School Readiness and VPK. Families that need extended school day care are usually served at childcare centers.

PreK School Readiness programs are located at many public schools. Children qualify under the child care subsidy program through Early Learning Coalition. To be processed, your application must have income documentation attached. Households must have an employed adult. Four year olds born on or before September 1 of the school year have priority placement over 3 year olds. Fees are assessed based on a sliding fee scale. Full pay spaces are available.

In addition to the high quality educational component, your child will receive:

  • At-school accident insurance
  • Instructional support services by Early Childhood Education Specialists
  • Take-Home Library

Click here to read the 2013-14 Application Information Document.

Eligibility requirements

  • Children must be at least three years old on or before September 1st of the school year for which you are applying
  • Four year olds have priority over three year olds.
  • Priority is given to families meeting 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
  • Fees are determined on a sliding fee scale according to the number of people in the household and the household income.

There are usually 20 spaces in each classroom. When all spaces are filled, children are put on a waiting list for their school zone.

Attention Parents:

ON THE APPLICATION, you will be asked to make a first and second choice of the program you would like your child to attend . When completed, the application will be processed and you will be notified as to vacancies, placements and/or considerations. Most PreK School Readiness classrooms will have space for 20 eligible children.

UPON ENROLLMENT of your child to the assigned school, you must provide the following documents: (enrollment documents)

  • Proof of residency
  • proof of a physical completed within the last 12 months
  • 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.

Preschool Programs Application

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2012-2013 PRESCHOOL PROGRAM APPLICATION.

VPK Certificate

CLICK HERE TO VIEW DIRECTIONS ON GETTING YOUR VPK CERTIFICATE FROM THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF POLK COUNTY.

Preschool Services Locations

On the application, you will be asked to make a first and second choice of the program you would like your child to attend. The program locations for the 2012 -2013 school year are listed below by area. These sites are subject to change.

Click here to view locations document in English and Spanish.

Auburndale Area

  • Caldwell Elementary
  • Lake Alfred Elementary
  • Lena Vista Elementary
  • Polk City Elementary

Bartow Area

  • Alturas Elementary
  • Stephens Elementary
  • Spessard L. Holland

Ft. Meade Area

  • Lewis Elementary

Lakeland Area

  • Blake Elementary
  • Carlton Palmore Elementary
  • Churchwell Elementary
  • Combee Elementary
  • Griffin Elementary
  • Kathleen Elementary
  • Medulla Elementary
  • North Lakeland Elementary
  • Padgett Elementary
  • Rochelle School of the Arts
  • R. Bruce Wagner Elementary
  • Sleepy Hill Elementary
  • Socrum Elementary
  • Southwest Elementary

Mulberry Area

  • Kingsford Elementary

Northeast Polk Area

  • Alta Vista Elementary
  • Davenport School of the Arts
  • Dundee Elementary
  • Eastside Elementary
  • Horizons Elementary
  • Laurel Elementary
  • Loughman Oaks Elementary
  • Palmetto Elementary

Winter Haven Area

  • Chain of Lakes
  • Jewett Elementary
  • Lake Shipp Elementary

School with AM/PM VPK

  • Dr. N. E. Roberts Elementary
  • Highlands Grove Elementary
  • Scott Lake Elementary
  • Valleyview Elementary
  • Frostproof Elementary
  • Wahneta Elementary

Contact Polk School Readiness

Phone: 863-648-3047 (English and Español)
Fax: 863-648-3050

Physical Address

3425 New Jersey Road
Lakeland, Florida 33806

By mail:

Polk County Schools
School Readiness/VPK
P O Box 391
Bartow, Florida 33831

Walk in:

Polk County Schools Woodlake Center – Preschool Programs
3425 New Jersey Road
Lakeland, Florida 33803
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7:45 am – 4:45 pm

Before & After School Care for Preschool Programs

Contact: Nancy Morgan

Phone: 648-3044

Offered at Kid-Care Sites

For Information – Contact providers at each elementary school:

  • Caldwell
  • Chain of Lakes
  • Churchwell
  • Combee
  • Dr. NE Roberts
  • Garner
  • Griffin
  • Highlands Grove
  • Horizons
  • Jewett
  • Kathleen
  • Lake Alfred
  • Lake Shipp
  • Laurel
  • Lena Vista
  • Loughman Oaks
  • Medulla
  • North Lakeland
  • Padgett
  • Polk City
  • Rochelle
  • R. Bruce Wagner
  • Scott Lake
  • Southwest
  • Stephens
  • Valleyview