Early Learning (VPK)

Madison Creative Arts Academy

Early Learning Center

MCAA is excited to expand our educational offerings to include VPK for 4-5 year old students. These students will participate in early learning experiences designed to prepare them for success in kindergarten and beyond!

We are now accepting applications for seats in MCAA's Early Learning Center for the 2024-25 school year.

1st Enrollment Period: February 1, 2024-February 15, 2024

2nd Enrollment Period: February 16, 2024-March 1, 2024

3rd Enrollment Period: March 2, 2024 - March 16, 2024
4th Enrollment Period: March 17, 2024 - March 31, 2024

Following the 4th Enrollment period, student spaces in VPK that remain open will be filled in the order in which applications are received.

What is VPK?

VPK is Voluntary Prekindergarten and is available to all 4 year olds in the state of Florida. VPK vouchers provide for 3 hours of school per day for the 180 day school year free of charge to parents.

Who is eligible for the program?

Students must be Florida residents and must turn 4 by September 1 to be eligible for the coming school year.

Will VPK Students Automatically be Granted Admission to Kindergarten at MCAA?

Prospective students who have successfully completed a voluntary prekindergarten program provided by the School during the previous year will be considered priority applicants for the kindergarten class the following year.

What are the hours for VPK?

The VPK program will run Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 11 AM (Free with VPK certificate). Students may be dropped off as early as 7:30 AM. Students not participating in full-day services would need to be picked up by 11:00 AM.

Full-school day services (from 11 AM until 3 PM) are offered at a rate of $425 per month with an additional $125 registration fee.

At this time, VPK students would not be eligible for our Afterschool Care Program from 3:00-5:30 PM and would need to be picked up no later than 3:25 daily.

The VPK program will follow the MCAA school year calendar.

What if I need financial assistance to help cover the cost of wraparound Care?

Madison Creative Arts Academy is an approved Early Learning Coalition School Readiness Network Provider. Child care tuition assistance may be available for your family through the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend, Inc. Assistance is subject to availability and is based on income and family size. Applications are available at the Florida Early Learning Family Portal. If you are approved for School Readiness assistance, you will receive a School Readiness Program Child Care Certificate specifying the copay amount that you are responsible for. The remainder of the monthly fee will be covered by School Readiness funding. Please sign the certificate and deliver it to MCAA or submit it by email at vpk@mcaa.academy. The copay amount determined by the Early Learning Coalition will be billed to you monthly by the school.

How do I register my child?

Step 1: Apply for a VPK Certificate of Eligibility online at the Florida Early Learning website. To complete this application you will need:

A valid email address
A copy or photo of your child's birth certificate and
A copy or photo of one proof of address to upload.

Step 2: Return to the MCAA website during Pre-K open enrollment and complete the MCAA Pre-K enrollment form.

First Enrollment Period: February 1, 2024 - February 15, 2024

Second Enrollment Period: February 16, 2024 - March 1, 2024

Third Enrollment Period: March 2, 2024 - March 16, 2024
Fourth Enrollment Period: March 17, 2024 - March 31, 2024

Following the 4th Enrollment period, student spaces in VPK that remain open will be filled in the order in which applications are received.

To complete this application you will need:

A valid VPK Certificate of Eligibility for the upcoming school year.

Does completing MCAA's online application guarantee a spot for my child?

No, if the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats, a lottery will be held to assign numbers to the timely applications. The school will then create a waiting list, and students will be placed on the waiting list in order by the number they were assigned in the lottery. Information regarding the lottery and waiting list placement will be sent to the email address listed on your application.

Priority seating will be offered to students with timely applications who fall into the following categories:

Prospective students who are the sibling (including full siblings, half siblings and step siblings) of a student who is enrolled at Madison Creative Arts Academy in any grade level.
Prospective students who have a parent (including step parent) serving on the School’s Governing Board/Founding members.
Prospective students who have a parent (including step parent) who is an employee of the School.
Prospective students who have a parent (including step parent) who is an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces.

For More Information

Contact the school office at 850-973-2529.

Visit the Florida Early Learning website.

Check out Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten Handbook.