Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten
Summer VPK Program in Gibsonton, FL
Help your child prepare for kindergarten through an engaging,
structured summer of early learning. Alford & Ashe Academy offers
Summer VPK for eligible Florida children in a caring classroom
environment in Gibsonton.
A Focused Path to Kindergarten
What Is Florida Summer VPK?
Summer VPK is a 300-instructional-hour Voluntary Prekindergarten
option for eligible children during the summer immediately before
kindergarten. It supports the academic, social, emotional, and
classroom skills children need as they begin elementary school.
Kindergarten Readiness
Children practice listening, following routines, completing
activities, and participating in a classroom community.
Early Literacy
Stories, conversations, sounds, letters, and writing
experiences help strengthen early reading foundations.
Early Mathematics
Hands-on activities introduce counting, patterns, shapes,
comparison, sorting, and age-appropriate problem-solving.
Social-Emotional Skills
Children practice cooperation, taking turns, expressing
feelings, building friendships, and solving small conflicts.
Communication
Group discussions and guided activities encourage children to
listen, ask questions, share ideas, and speak with confidence.
Learning Through Play
Purposeful play, creative projects, movement, and exploration
keep children engaged while reinforcing important skills.
Before You Apply
Who Is Eligible for Summer VPK?
Summer VPK is intended for eligible Florida children during the
summer immediately before they enter kindergarten. Families should
confirm eligibility and obtain a valid VPK Certificate of
Eligibility before enrollment.
- The child must be a Florida resident
- The child must meet Florida’s applicable VPK age requirement
- The child must be entering kindergarten after the summer program
- The child must not have completed school-year VPK
- A valid VPK Certificate of Eligibility is required
- Enrollment depends on current program availability
Eligibility rules are administered through Florida’s early
learning system. Contact the academy and the Early Learning
Coalition of Hillsborough County if you need help confirming the
correct program option for your child.
Parent Experiences
See What Alford & Ashe Families Say
Read feedback from families who have trusted our teachers to support
their children’s learning, confidence, and preparation for school.
Ciara Stephens2024-07-03Awesome school. Ms. Ashe and staff are amazing!! I've had my 3 children attend for the past 3 years and nothing but positive things to say.
The Alvarez Family2024-05-23I highly recommend this Daycare, it is the BEST!! My son graduated now from pre-kindergarten (vpk)and he learn so much,improve alot of his speech and learn socialize, Teachers are so nice too they care for the kids, and I like that they have updates in mobile app of what activity they do at school. Thank you so much ALFORD AND ASHE ACADEMY and to all the teacher's!
mandy peterson2024-05-22Alford & Ashe Academy is wonderful school especially preparing for kindergarten. My son Graduated VPK on 5/22/2024. Highly recommended..They teach the children sign language, and much more. Thank you staff for doing what yo do each and every day.. Amanda (Chelsea) Ross, Damon & Travis George (VPK student)
sonia jennette2024-05-22I have raised seven children and still am raising children. I have seen my share of daycares and schools. I will tell you I was worried at first of I was making the right decision for my child over two years ago when I enrolled him for Alford and Ashe. It was the best decision I ever made my child has learned a lot not only academically but also social skills,manners,and how to control his emotions. He loves Mrs. Wanda he made a strong connection with her and she made him feel special. He will be leaving and graduating from Vpk to go to kindergarten I couldn't of found a better school and teachers to prepare him for his future. Highly recommend.
Nija Ellis2024-05-22I love them for my daughter!
Roel Pecina2024-05-22Love this academy! Ms.Ashe has many years of experience and it shows, she puts her all into educating and caring for the kids. The teachers she employs also do a great job.
Gianna Tagliarini2024-04-01I have nothing but great things to say about this school. My son started going here last year and has learned so much. The daily updates on the mobile app are a great way to see what my child is currently learning. The owner of the school is amazing along side the teachers. They are interactive and determined to teach the children. I would recommend any parent to enroll their child at Alford and Ashe academy !
Latisha Graham2024-03-12This daycare is the best daycare in the world. They are so kind and loving to my children. All four of my girls go here between 1 and 8. They absolutely love it here. My antisocial 1 and 2 year old literally jump out of my arms to go to the staff and to Ms Ashe. They focus on education and are genuinely concerned about the well being of our children.I believe it is every parents dream to know that when they drop off there kids that they know they are well taken care of. Thank you all so much for what you do to make my ladies feel just as loved as I do. Forever grateful for this daycare.
Learning Throughout the Day
What Children May Experience in Summer VPK
The classroom schedule may vary by program year, but children can
expect a balanced combination of teacher-guided instruction,
hands-on exploration, active play, and social learning.
Morning Welcome
Children settle in, greet their classmates, and prepare for
the day’s learning routine.
Circle Time
Group conversations, songs, calendar activities, and classroom
discussions build attention and communication.
Literacy Activities
Books, storytelling, vocabulary, letters, sounds, and early
writing help children develop pre-reading skills.
Math & Discovery
Children explore numbers, patterns, shapes, measurement,
science concepts, and problem-solving through hands-on work.
Learning Centers
Choice-based classroom areas encourage creativity,
collaboration, independence, and focused exploration.
Creative Expression
Art, music, movement, and dramatic play give children different
ways to communicate ideas and use their imagination.
Active Play
Indoor and outdoor movement support coordination, healthy
activity, cooperation, and gross motor development.
Review & Reflection
Children revisit ideas from the day and practice sharing what
they learned with teachers and classmates.
Learning in Action
Explore Our VPK Learning Environment
Getting Started
How to Enroll in Summer VPK
Start early because Summer VPK schedules and available seats can vary
from year to year.
1. Confirm Eligibility
Make sure your child meets Florida’s Summer VPK eligibility
requirements and has not completed school-year VPK.
2. Apply for a Certificate
Apply through Florida’s Family Portal and provide the required
proof of your child’s age and Florida residency.
3. Contact the Academy
Ask about the current Summer VPK calendar, instructional hours,
available seats, and documents needed by the academy.
4. Complete Enrollment
Submit the approved VPK Certificate of Eligibility and finish
the academy’s required enrollment paperwork.
Summer VPK Near You
Visit Our Summer VPK Program in Gibsonton
Alford & Ashe Academy is located at 7739 Gibsonton Drive in
Gibsonton, Florida. We welcome eligible families from
Gibsonton, Riverview, Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Brandon, and nearby
Hillsborough County communities.
Our center is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. Summer VPK instructional dates and classroom hours
may differ from general center hours, so please contact us to
confirm the current schedule and availability.
Summer VPK Frequently Asked Questions
What is Summer VPK?
Summer VPK is Florida’s 300-instructional-hour
prekindergarten option offered during the summer immediately
before an eligible child begins kindergarten.
Is Summer VPK free?
Florida funds the required VPK instructional program for
eligible children with an approved certificate. Ask the
academy about any optional care outside the VPK instructional
schedule and whether separate charges apply.
Can my child attend both school-year and Summer VPK?
No. Florida families choose either the school-year VPK
option or the Summer VPK option. A child who completed
school-year VPK is not eligible for Summer VPK.
How many instructional hours are included?
Florida’s Summer VPK option includes 300 instructional
hours. The daily and weekly schedule is set by the provider
within program requirements.
What does my child learn in Summer VPK?
Learning may include early literacy, mathematics,
communication, classroom routines, problem-solving,
creativity, motor development, and social-emotional skills.
Do I need a VPK certificate?
Yes. Families must obtain an approved VPK Certificate of
Eligibility and provide it to the selected VPK provider to
complete enrollment.
What documents are needed to apply?
Florida’s application generally requires documentation of
the child’s age and Florida residency. The academy may also
require its own enrollment and health records.
How do I check dates and availability?
Schedule a tour or contact Alford & Ashe Academy for the
current Summer VPK calendar, instructional schedule,
enrollment requirements, and available seats.
Explore Your VPK Options
Looking for School-Year VPK?
Families who need a program during the traditional school year can
explore our regular VPK option. Florida allows eligible children to
participate in either school-year VPK or Summer VPK, not both.
Prepare for Kindergarten
Ask About Summer VPK Availability
Tour our learning environment, meet the team, and learn about the
current Summer VPK schedule and enrollment process.
