Below is a summary of the upcoming changes to the School Readiness (SR) and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Provider Contracts, in accordance with Rules 6M-4.610 and 6M-8.301, Florida Administrative Code (effective February 24, 2026).
SR Contract Changes
Provider General Eligibility, item 7f – Adds selection for a provider that had previously been subject to program assessment requirements but currently meets one of the exemption criteria. This selection is for a provider who had a program assessment the prior contract year but now qualifies for an exemption during this contract period.
SR Plus Program, items 9 and 61 and Exhibit 7 – Adds reference to the SR Plus Program for provider eligibility and due process procedures.
Provider Orientation, items 32 and 35 – Requires a provider to participate in an ELC-conducted annual SR Program orientation prior to contract execution.
Staff Training Day, item 57 and Exhibit 6 – Allows for a provider to receive reimbursement for up to 13 recognized holidays per year, where one day is for staff training.
Suspension for Disaster Recovery, item 80 – Allows a provider to be administratively suspended during a disaster. In such circumstances, an ELC must transfer enrolled children to another eligible provider and verify a DCF inspection before lifting the provider’s suspension.
Indemnification, item 86 – Permits a provider accredited by a national accrediting body and operating on a Department of Defense-certified military installation to demonstrate liability coverage by affirming that it is subject to the Federal Tort Claims Act.
SR Contract Exhibit/Amendment Changes
Provider Location List, Exhibit 1 – Deletes selection for child assessment tool used. Adds yes/no selection for provider site which was previously subject to program assessment but now meets exemption. Adds provider site which waives program assessment exemption.
QIP Selection, Exhibit 3, item 1b – Revises years of experience in early learning for certified coaching from 5 to 3 years for consistency with Rule.
Provider Reimbursement Rates, Exhibit 5 – Deletes Special Needs column as it is a negotiated rate. Clarifies that the QPI differential is not appliable to school-age care.
Amendment – Deletes the naming of the party responsible for developmental screenings. Adds selections for changes to provider’s program assessment requirements. Adds selection for changes to the Contracted Slots program. Deletes option to change the provider’s selected child assessment tool.
VPK Contract Changes
Contract Term, item 3 – Clarifies the effective date in which the contract term begins.
Provider General Eligibility, item 7f – Adds separate fields to record a provider’s school year and summer composite program assessment score.
Child Enrollment, items 9 and 27 – Deletes reference to Forms DEL-VPK 02 and 04 and adds reference to certificate of eligibility and certificate of eligibility for reenrollment consistent with amended Rule.
Provider Orientation, item 10b – Requires a provider to participate in an ELC-conducted VPK Program orientation prior to contract execution.
Performance Metric, item 50 – Adds reference to when a provider will receive an incomplete status in lieu of a performance designation.
Indemnification, item 68 – Permits a provider accredited by a national accrediting body and operating on a Department of Defense-certified military installation to demonstrate liability coverage by affirming that it is subject to the Federal Tort Claims Act.
VPK Contract Exhibit/Amendment Changes
Provider Location List, Exhibit 1 – Adds yes/no selections by school-year or summer for multi-site providers for: providers on probation, providers operating under a good cause exemption, providers with an incomplete status, and providers’ program assessment composite scores.
Amendment – Adds yes/no selections by school-year or summer for multi-site providers for: providers on probation, providers operating under a good cause exemption, providers with an incomplete status, and providers’ program assessment composite scores. Adds amendment effective date field.