Polk County Public Schools Polk County, Florida

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 Arbor Early Learning have partnered together under the direction of the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County. Arbor 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.

Before and after school care is not available for PreK students at public school sites and is the responsibility of the parent if needed.

PreK School Readiness programs are located at many public schools. Children qualify under the child care subsidy program through Arbor Early Learning. 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. Classroom assignments are made during the summer months or as space becomes available throughout the school year. Full pay spaces are available on a limited basis.

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

Comprehensive health services: health education instruction, basic health screenings, health record reviews
At-school accident insurance
Instructional support services by Early Childhood Education Specialists
Take-Home Library

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

Application

Application Information (please view this document before filling out the application)
2008 - 2009 Polk School Readiness Application
PreK Locations

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.

Required Documentation

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

Income Verification (Must submit pay stubs for all working adults.)
- Current Pay Stubs
  - If Paid Weekly = 6 consecutive pay stubs
  - If Paid Bi-Weekly = 3 consecutive pay stubs
  - If Paid Monthly = 2 consecutive pay stubs
- New applications only: If working less than 30 days, a signed statement from your Employer may be used for Income Verification. It must be on company letterhead and must contain hours worked, pay rate, contact name and phone number. YFA will verify the information given on the letter with employer.
Verification of Adult's School Enrollment/Schedule
Verification of Other Income (TANF/Cash Assistance, SSI, SSA)
Copy of Social Security Cards or Proof of Application (for all family members)
Copy of Current Driver's License or Picture I.D.
Proof of Legal Guardianship (if applicable)
Copy of Birth Certificate (for all children)
Copy of Divorce Papers AND Child Support (if applicable)

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 (program locations). 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 18 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.

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

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

Polk County Public Schools, Parents

Polk PreK School Readiness Program