Free for every Florida 4-year-old
Free VPK in Miami: Bilingual Pre-K for 4-Year-Olds
VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten) is Florida’s free pre-K program for every 4-year-old, no matter the family’s income. Lincoln-Martí offers VPK in English and Spanish at its early-learning centers across Miami-Dade, and families can add full-day care from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM around the VPK hours.
- $0 VPK tuition
- English & Spanish
- Full-day care available
¿Prefiere leer en español? VPK gratis en español →
Age 4 · English & Spanish
- $0
- VPK tuition, any family income
- 540
- hours in the school-year program
- 4
- years old by September 1
- 11
- children max per teacher (20 with an assistant)
Eligibility
Who qualifies for free VPK in Florida?
Every child who lives in Florida and turns 4 on or before September 1 qualifies for free VPK that school year — there is no income limit and no tuition for VPK hours. Children with birthdays from February 2 through September 1 may also wait and attend VPK the following year, when they are 5.
Age 4 by September 1
Your child must be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the school year.
Florida resident
Your family must live in Florida. You show proof of address when you apply.
Any family income
VPK is free for every eligible child. Income only matters for extra help like School Readiness.
Hours & cost
How many hours is VPK, and can my child stay all day?
Florida’s school-year VPK program is 540 instructional hours — about three hours a day over the school year — and a 300-hour summer program also exists. The VPK hours are free. At Lincoln-Martí, children can stay for full-day care before and after VPK, with most campuses open 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM; those extra hours are paid by tuition or covered by School Readiness if the family qualifies.
| Part of the day | What it is | Cost to families |
|---|---|---|
| VPK hours | Florida’s pre-K program, taught in English and Spanish | Free |
| Before & after VPK | Full-day care at the same campus, most open 6:00 AM–7:00 PM | Tuition, or School Readiness for eligible families |
| Meals | Meals and snacks prepared on site | Ask your campus |
In the classroom
What will my child learn in VPK at Lincoln-Martí?
VPK at Lincoln-Martí prepares 4-year-olds for kindergarten in two languages: early reading and letter sounds, numbers and counting, and the social skills of a school day — taking turns, following routines, and working in a group. Florida caps VPK classes at 11 children with one teacher, or 20 with a teacher and an assistant.
Letters, sounds & stories
Read-alouds, rhymes, and first writing in English and Spanish.
Numbers & patterns
Counting, shapes, sorting, and simple problem solving through play.
Ready for kindergarten
Routines, independence, and getting along in a classroom.
Enroll
How do I enroll my child in VPK?
First get your child’s VPK Certificate of Eligibility online through Florida’s Early Learning Family Portal, using proof of age and proof of Florida address. Then choose a Lincoln-Martí campus and register with the certificate — our staff can help with both steps.
- Get the certificateApply for the VPK Certificate of Eligibility in the Early Learning Family Portal.
- Choose a campusUse our campus finder and filter by “Free VPK”.
- RegisterCall (305) 642-1000 or register online with the certificate.
- Bring documentsBirth certificate, proof of address, and the Florida immunization form (DH 680).
Near you
Where can my child attend VPK in Miami-Dade?
Lincoln-Martí runs 31 early-learning centers across Miami-Dade — from Little Havana and Hialeah to Homestead, Miami Beach, Kendall, and Palmetto Bay. VPK class times can differ by campus, so confirm the schedule with the center you choose.
Google reviews
What do parents say about Lincoln-Martí?
Parents at our Hialeah center on W 45th Place rate it 4.3 out of 5 across 25 Google reviews. The five-star reviews below most often mention caring, attentive teachers, a safe and family-like environment, and how quickly children settle in.
“I’m so happy with this daycare. It’s a very reliable place, and all the teachers are lovely. Even the cook is incredibly kind and caring with the children. My daughter, being her first time at daycare, settled in in just two weeks thanks to the love and patience they showed her. You can tell they truly care for and love the children.”
“I’ve had a great experience with this daycare. They take good care of my daughter, she’s learned a lot, the teachers are very attentive, they play with her and give her different hairstyles than the ones I do. They’re kind, especially the director, Odalis. I recommend it 100%.”
“I love the professionalism with which they work; my children are always happy there and have also learned a lot.”
“Highly recommended, it’s a family-friendly and safe environment for children, my daughter is happy with her teacher.”
“The staff at the daycare provided wonderful care to the children. They are very professional and loving.”
“Excellent team of workers, very professional and responsible with the care of the children.”
“I’m delighted with this daycare; my baby loves going there, and her teachers, Dalitza and Rosy, are so caring and attentive to the children, as is the director, Odalys. Thank you for your love and for everything you teach her. I love that they do lots of activities and always take good care of the children. I recommend it 100%!”
“Excellent school, my baby’s teachers are very well prepared (Dalitza and Rosy), they always keep my child clean and well cared for, and the director, Odalis, is always very kind.”
“My daughter has been studying at Lincoln-Marti since VPK. It has the best principal, and the teachers are the best. I leave my daughter there with peace of mind because I know she’s in good hands. […]”
“My son has been attending this pre-school since he was 11 months old, he is now 3 and a half. The staff members are very family oriented and the teachers are exceptional. I can truly say I am extremely content with how much my son has excelled till date. Patricia, the director, as well as all of the teachers are beyond amazing!”
Five-star reviews from the Lincoln-Martí Hialeah (14 W 45th Pl) Google profile. Spanish reviews are shown in Google’s English translation.
Parent questions
Free VPK in Miami: frequently asked questions
Is VPK really free?
Yes. Florida pays for the VPK program, so there is no tuition for VPK hours for any eligible child, regardless of family income. Care before and after VPK hours is paid by tuition or School Readiness.
When does my child qualify for VPK?
Your child qualifies in the school year they are 4 years old on or before September 1 and live in Florida. Children with birthdays from February 2 through September 1 may also wait a year and attend at age 5.
How many hours is VPK?
The school-year VPK program is 540 instructional hours, about three hours a day. Florida also offers a 300-hour summer VPK program.
Can my child stay all day at Lincoln-Martí?
Yes. Children can stay for full-day care before and after VPK, and most Lincoln-Martí campuses are open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
What do I need to enroll in VPK?
You need the VPK Certificate of Eligibility from Florida’s Early Learning Family Portal, your child’s birth certificate, proof of Florida address, and the Florida immunization form (DH 680).
Is VPK at Lincoln-Martí bilingual?
Yes. VPK classrooms at Lincoln-Martí use English and Spanish every day, so children build early reading and math skills in both languages.
Sources
- Florida Department of Education, VPK for parents — fldoe.org
- Florida Early Learning Family Portal (VPK Certificate of Eligibility) — floridaearlylearning.com
- Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe — elcmdm.org
Save your child’s free VPK spot
Register with Lincoln-Martí and we’ll help you get the VPK certificate and pick the right campus.