Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten
VPK Program & Kindergarten Readiness in Gibsonton, FL
Help your child build the academic, social, and classroom skills
needed for a confident transition into kindergarten. At Alford
& Ashe Academy, our VPK program combines structured learning,
hands-on activities, purposeful play, and supportive teacher
guidance to strengthen early literacy, math, independence, and
school readiness.
Ready for Kindergarten
Building the Skills Children Need for School Success
VPK gives children opportunities to strengthen foundational academic
and social skills before kindergarten. Our classroom experiences are
designed to encourage curiosity, communication, confidence,
independence, and active participation in learning.
Early Literacy
Children explore letters, sounds, rhymes, vocabulary,
storytelling, print awareness, and early writing through
age-appropriate classroom activities.
Early Math
Counting, number recognition, patterns, shapes, sorting,
comparisons, measurement, and problem-solving help develop
foundational math understanding.
Classroom Independence
Children practice following routines, completing tasks,
managing belongings, making choices, and taking greater
responsibility for their learning.
Social-Emotional Skills
Group learning helps children practice cooperation,
communication, turn-taking, problem-solving, emotional
awareness, and positive relationships.
Critical Thinking
Questions, experiments, puzzles, building activities, and
open-ended experiences encourage reasoning, curiosity, and
problem-solving.
Communication Skills
Conversations, stories, group discussions, and classroom
activities help children express ideas clearly and listen
to others.
Parent Experiences
See What Alford & Ashe Families Say
Read feedback from families who have trusted our teachers with their
children’s care, development, 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.
A Purposeful School Day
What Children May Experience in Our VPK Classroom
A balanced VPK day combines teacher-guided instruction, hands-on
learning, small-group activities, movement, creativity, social
interaction, and opportunities for independent exploration.
Morning Welcome
Children begin the day with familiar routines, classroom
responsibilities, and activities that support a smooth
transition into learning.
Morning Meeting
Group time may include stories, songs, discussions,
classroom topics, calendar concepts, and opportunities
to practice listening and participation.
Literacy Learning
Children explore letters, sounds, rhyming, vocabulary,
storytelling, books, print concepts, and early writing skills.
Math & Discovery
Hands-on learning may include counting, numbers, patterns,
shapes, sorting, measurement, science concepts, and
problem-solving activities.
Learning Centers
Classroom centers give children opportunities to explore
books, art, blocks, dramatic play, manipulatives, science,
writing, and creative problem-solving.
Small-Group Learning
Teacher-guided small groups provide opportunities to practice
specific academic, communication, fine motor, and
problem-solving skills.
Outdoor & Active Play
Running, games, movement, and outdoor activities support
coordination, strength, teamwork, confidence, and healthy
physical development.
Review & Afternoon Activities
Children may finish the day with stories, review activities,
creative learning, supervised play, and preparation for pickup.
Preparing for Elementary School
Kindergarten Readiness Goes Beyond Letters and Numbers
Academic foundations are important, but successful kindergarten
transitions also depend on communication, independence,
attention, self-regulation, problem-solving, and the ability
to participate positively in a classroom community.
- Strengthen letter and sound awareness
- Develop early writing and fine motor skills
- Practice counting and number recognition
- Follow classroom routines and multi-step directions
- Participate in teacher-guided group activities
- Communicate ideas, questions, and needs clearly
- Practice cooperation and positive peer interactions
- Build confidence completing age-appropriate tasks independently
Every child develops differently. Schedule a tour to meet our
team, explore the VPK classroom, and learn how we support
children as they prepare for kindergarten.
Understanding VPK
What Is Florida’s VPK Program?
Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten program is designed to help
eligible children prepare for kindergarten by supporting early
literacy, language, math, social-emotional development, and
classroom readiness.
Kindergarten Preparation
VPK helps children strengthen foundational skills and
classroom habits before entering kindergarten.
Early Learning
Children participate in developmentally appropriate
literacy, math, language, problem-solving, and
creative learning experiences.
Social Development
Classroom experiences help children practice cooperation,
communication, independence, self-regulation, and
positive peer relationships.
Family Support
Families can contact the academy to discuss enrollment,
current VPK availability, classroom schedules, and
documentation needed to begin the enrollment process.
Learning in Action
Explore Our VPK Learning Environment
A Confident Start to School
Why Gibsonton Families Choose Our VPK Program
Our VPK classroom combines structured learning with supportive
guidance and age-appropriate experiences designed to help children
become confident, curious, and increasingly independent learners.
Supportive Teachers
Teachers provide encouragement, structure, and guidance
while helping children develop confidence and responsibility.
School-Readiness Skills
Children practice foundational literacy, math, communication,
listening, problem-solving, and classroom participation.
Whole-Child Learning
Classroom experiences support academics alongside social,
emotional, creative, physical, and communication development.
Growing Independence
Daily routines help children practice managing tasks,
making decisions, following directions, and taking
responsibility for themselves.
VPK Near You
Visit Our VPK Program in Gibsonton
Alford & Ashe Academy is located at 7739 Gibsonton Drive
in Gibsonton, Florida. We welcome families from Gibsonton,
Riverview, Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Brandon, and nearby communities.
Alford & Ashe Academy is open Monday through Friday from
6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please contact us to confirm current
VPK availability, classroom scheduling, and enrollment requirements.
VPK Program Frequently Asked Questions
What does VPK stand for?
VPK stands for Voluntary Prekindergarten. Florida’s VPK
program is designed to help eligible children develop
skills that support kindergarten readiness.
What does your VPK program focus on?
Our program supports early literacy, math, communication,
problem-solving, independence, social-emotional development,
classroom participation, and kindergarten readiness.
Does VPK teach children to read and write?
Children build foundational literacy skills through
letters, sounds, rhymes, vocabulary, storytelling,
print awareness, drawing, and developmentally appropriate
early writing experiences.
How does VPK prepare children for kindergarten?
Children practice early academics along with listening,
following directions, participating in groups,
communicating ideas, completing tasks, and becoming
more independent in a classroom setting.
Who is eligible for Florida VPK?
Eligibility is determined under Florida VPK requirements.
Families should confirm current age, residency, certificate,
and enrollment requirements with the appropriate VPK
agency and the academy before enrolling.
What do I need to enroll my child in VPK?
Enrollment requirements may include VPK eligibility
documentation and academy enrollment forms. Contact
Alford & Ashe Academy for the current list of required
documents and next steps.
What are your center hours?
Alford & Ashe Academy is open Monday through Friday
from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Contact the academy to confirm
the current VPK classroom schedule and availability.
How can I learn about VPK availability and enrollment?
Call 813-443-9136 or schedule a tour to discuss current
VPK openings, eligibility documentation, classroom
schedules, enrollment requirements, and your desired
start date.
The Final Preschool Stage
From Our Four-Year-Old Program Toward Kindergarten
VPK builds on the skills children develop throughout our
preschool programs. Families with younger children can explore
our Four-Year-Old Program, while VPK students continue preparing
for the transition into kindergarten and elementary school.
Ready to Visit?
Tour Our VPK Classroom in Gibsonton
Meet our teachers, explore the classroom, and learn how
Alford & Ashe Academy helps children build the academic,
social, and independence skills that support a confident
transition into kindergarten.
