How do I get free VPK in Palm Beach County?
Register with the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County online or at a kiosk in Riviera Beach, Palm Springs or Belle Glade, then take the certificate to an approved provider. Your child must be four on or before September 1.
Call 561-514-3300 for the documents you will need.
Is VPK the same as School Readiness?
No. VPK is a free 540-hour pre-K year for every four-year-old; School Readiness is income-based child care assistance for working or in-school families with a co-pay and a waiting list.
The two can be combined for different hours.
Can my child stay at the same school for kindergarten?
Yes, if the school is a Private School Scholarship participant: a K-3 student in Palm Beach County is funded at $8,890 in 2026-27. 79 Palm Beach schools serve pre-K in the directory and 65 of them carry the scholarship flag.
Ask the school directly.
What is VPK compared with School Readiness, and what is each not?
The table sets the options side by side so you can see where each one stops.
| VPK | School Readiness |
|---|---|
| Free for every four-year-old | Income-based with a co-pay |
| 540 hours in the school year | Hours match the family's work or school needs |
| No waiting list | A waiting list has been reported |
Related questions
What is the next step for my family?
Take the funding check, which runs about two minutes. An advisor then lists each program your household can use and the dates that apply to you.