Florida Regulations 6M-8.610: Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Director Credential for Private Providers
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(1) A private prekindergarten program delivering the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program must have a director who has a VPK Director Credential. An private school administrator of a private prekindergarten program who holds a valid certificate in educational leadership issued by the Florida Department of Education (department) as defined in Fl. Admin. Code R. 6A-4.0082, satisfies the requirement for a prekindergarten director credential under Florida Statutes § 1002.57
(2) In accordance with Florida Statutes § 1002.57(1), the department adopts the following minimum standards for a VPK Director Credential. The VPK Director Credential must include each of the following:
(a) An instructor-led or online course, approved by the department, on the VPK performance standards adopted under Fl. Admin. Code R. 6M-8.602
(b) An online course, approved by the department, on emergent literacy standards adopted under Fl. Admin. Code R. 6M-8.615
(c) An online course, approved by the department, designed to deepen an individual’s understanding of mathematical concepts and skills appropriate for preschool-aged children.
(d) An online course, approved by the department, designed to deepen an individual’s understanding of the use of language and vocabulary in VPK classrooms.
(e) An online course, approved by the department, that addresses the following VPK Director competencies:
1. Organizational Leadership and Management – To implement strategies and techniques that promote a responsive work and learning environment, VPK directors shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of:
a. Management strategies that support a professional culture and climate;
b. Instructional leadership skills and the provision of supports to VPK instructors;
c. Available resources and supports for VPK instructors and parents; and,
d. Local processes and procedures for the transition of VPK children to public and private kindergarten programs.
2. Financial and Legal – To maintain effective financial planning and budgeting systems and sound practices related to legal obligations and responsibilities, VPK directors shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of:
a. Applicable laws and rules and legal responsibilities;
b. Roles and responsibilities of state agencies, local coalitions, and providers;
c. Monitoring requirements; and,
d. Financial operating procedures.
3. Program and Performance Standards – To maintain an instructional leadership role in creating and sustaining an effective learning environment, VPK directors shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of:
a. Developmentally appropriate and research-based instructional practices and their application in the classroom;
b. Evaluation of the appropriateness and effectiveness of available prekindergarten curricula;
c. Effective implementation of a prekindergarten curriculum in the classroom;
d. Effective instructional strategies for children with disabilities or other special needs and for English language learners;
e. Developmentally appropriate methods for the on-going assessment of young children and interpretation of these data for program planning and the delivery of instruction; and,
f. Local and state accountability systems; and,
(f) Education and onsite experience through the successful completion of the Director Credential, as established in in section 4.7 and subsection 4.8.3 as adopted in the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, December 2019, incorporated by reference in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65C-22.001 The Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, December 2019 is incorporated by reference. The handbook may be obtained from the Department of Children and Families website at https://www.myflorida.com/service-programs/child-care/ or from the following link: https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-11491.
(3) The following department approved courses and credential will satisfy the minimum standards for the VPK Director Credential as established in subsection (2) of this rule:
(a) Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classrooms: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten (instructor-led or online);
(b) Emergent Literacy for VPK Instructors (online);
(c) Mathematical Thinking for Early Learners (online);
(d) Language and Vocabulary in the VPK Classroom (online);
(e) VPK Director Credential course (online); and
(f) A Director Credential issued in accordance with standards set forth in section 4.7 and subsection 4.8.3 as adopted in the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, December 2019, incorporated by reference in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65C-22.001
(4)(a) A VPK Director Credential will be issued to an individual that has successfully completed all of the courses and requirements established subsection (3) of this rule.
(b) For purposes of this rule “”successfully completed”” is defined as follows:
1. For the online courses, an eighty (80) percent passing rate on the course test.
2. For the Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classrooms: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten instructor-led course, attendance and participation in full course, as verified by the department approved instructor of the course.
3. For the Director’s Credential, a current credential issued in accordance with in section 4.7 and subsection 4.8.3 as adopted in the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, December 2019, incorporated by reference in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65C-22.001
Rulemaking Authority 1002.73(2)(b), 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.55(3)(g), 1002.57 FS. History-New 12-31-06, Amended 5-19-08, Formerly 6A-6.040, Amended 1-11-16, 10-15-17, 10-21-18, 11-23-21.
(2) In accordance with Florida Statutes § 1002.57(1), the department adopts the following minimum standards for a VPK Director Credential. The VPK Director Credential must include each of the following:
(a) An instructor-led or online course, approved by the department, on the VPK performance standards adopted under Fl. Admin. Code R. 6M-8.602
(b) An online course, approved by the department, on emergent literacy standards adopted under Fl. Admin. Code R. 6M-8.615
(c) An online course, approved by the department, designed to deepen an individual’s understanding of mathematical concepts and skills appropriate for preschool-aged children.
(d) An online course, approved by the department, designed to deepen an individual’s understanding of the use of language and vocabulary in VPK classrooms.
(e) An online course, approved by the department, that addresses the following VPK Director competencies:
1. Organizational Leadership and Management – To implement strategies and techniques that promote a responsive work and learning environment, VPK directors shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of:
a. Management strategies that support a professional culture and climate;
b. Instructional leadership skills and the provision of supports to VPK instructors;
c. Available resources and supports for VPK instructors and parents; and,
d. Local processes and procedures for the transition of VPK children to public and private kindergarten programs.
2. Financial and Legal – To maintain effective financial planning and budgeting systems and sound practices related to legal obligations and responsibilities, VPK directors shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of:
a. Applicable laws and rules and legal responsibilities;
b. Roles and responsibilities of state agencies, local coalitions, and providers;
c. Monitoring requirements; and,
d. Financial operating procedures.
3. Program and Performance Standards – To maintain an instructional leadership role in creating and sustaining an effective learning environment, VPK directors shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of:
a. Developmentally appropriate and research-based instructional practices and their application in the classroom;
b. Evaluation of the appropriateness and effectiveness of available prekindergarten curricula;
c. Effective implementation of a prekindergarten curriculum in the classroom;
d. Effective instructional strategies for children with disabilities or other special needs and for English language learners;
e. Developmentally appropriate methods for the on-going assessment of young children and interpretation of these data for program planning and the delivery of instruction; and,
f. Local and state accountability systems; and,
(f) Education and onsite experience through the successful completion of the Director Credential, as established in in section 4.7 and subsection 4.8.3 as adopted in the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, December 2019, incorporated by reference in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65C-22.001 The Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, December 2019 is incorporated by reference. The handbook may be obtained from the Department of Children and Families website at https://www.myflorida.com/service-programs/child-care/ or from the following link: https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-11491.
(3) The following department approved courses and credential will satisfy the minimum standards for the VPK Director Credential as established in subsection (2) of this rule:
(a) Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classrooms: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten (instructor-led or online);
(b) Emergent Literacy for VPK Instructors (online);
(c) Mathematical Thinking for Early Learners (online);
(d) Language and Vocabulary in the VPK Classroom (online);
(e) VPK Director Credential course (online); and
(f) A Director Credential issued in accordance with standards set forth in section 4.7 and subsection 4.8.3 as adopted in the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, December 2019, incorporated by reference in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65C-22.001
(4)(a) A VPK Director Credential will be issued to an individual that has successfully completed all of the courses and requirements established subsection (3) of this rule.
(b) For purposes of this rule “”successfully completed”” is defined as follows:
1. For the online courses, an eighty (80) percent passing rate on the course test.
2. For the Implementing the Florida Standards in Preschool Classrooms: 3 Years Old to Kindergarten instructor-led course, attendance and participation in full course, as verified by the department approved instructor of the course.
3. For the Director’s Credential, a current credential issued in accordance with in section 4.7 and subsection 4.8.3 as adopted in the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Facility Handbook, December 2019, incorporated by reference in Fl. Admin. Code R. 65C-22.001
Rulemaking Authority 1002.73(2)(b), 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.55(3)(g), 1002.57 FS. History-New 12-31-06, Amended 5-19-08, Formerly 6A-6.040, Amended 1-11-16, 10-15-17, 10-21-18, 11-23-21.