1. (1) Early learning coalitions (coalition) may not execute a provider contract with a provider before the provider has registered with the coalition and the coalition has determined the provider’s eligibility to offer VPK services in accordance with Rule 6M-8.300, F.A.C.
2. (2) (a) Beginning with the 2026-2027 program year, providers that register to offer the VPK program must execute the State of Florida Statewide Voluntary Prekindergarten Provider Contract, Form DEL-VPK 20, (February 2026) (VPK Provider Contract), including either Form DEL-VPK 20PP (February 2026) or Form DEL-VPK 20PS (February 2026), as appropriate. A coalition must be a party to a VPK Provider Contract. A school district may sign a single VPK Provider Contract on behalf of all public school VPK providers in the district. The owner or manager of multiple private VPK providers may sign a single VPK Provider Contract on behalf of all of his or her private VPK providers within a coalition’s service area.
3. (b) Providers that register to offer the VPK program must submit all forms adopted by this rule on the single statewide information system (known as the Provider Portal) and found at https://providerservices.floridaearlylearning.com. Public school districts, public universities, county governments (67 Florida counties), and public hospitals may print completed documents from the Provider Portal for the purpose of having original signatures, if required by the local school board or governing body; however, no changes may be made to Form DEL-VPK 20 (February 2026).
4. (3) The State of Florida Statewide Voluntary Prekindergarten Provider Contract, Form DEL-VPK 20 (February 2026), is incorporated by reference and available at (HYPERLINK "http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19020"http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19020).
5. (4) The State of Florida Statewide Voluntary Prekindergarten Provider Contract Private Provider Attachment, Form DEL-VPK 20PP, (February 2026), is incorporated by reference and available at (HYPERLINK "http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19021"http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19021). This attachment becomes part of the contract for all private providers that execute the VPK Provider Contract referenced in subsection (3) of this rule.
6. (5) The State of Florida Statewide Voluntary Prekindergarten Provider Contract Public School Attachment, Form DEL-VPK 20PS (February 2026), is incorporated by reference and available at (HYPERLINK "http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19022"http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19022). This attachment becomes part of the contract for all public schools that execute the VPK Provider Contract referenced in subsection (3) of this rule.
7. (6) Before VPK services are delivered by a provider, the provider and the coalition must fully execute the VPK Provider Contract (Form DEL-VPK 20 (February 2026)) and the appropriate private (Form DEL-VPK 20PP (February 2026)) or public (Form DEL-VPK 20PS (February 2026)) provider attachment and retain them within the single statewide information system (SSIS) in compliance with Section 668.50, F.S., the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act.
8. (7) Neither a coalition nor a VPK provider may omit, supplement, or amend the terms and conditions of the VPK Provider Contract or include any attachments, addenda, or exhibits to the contract, except as described in this rule. The coalition and VPK provider may agree to amend the VPK Provider Contract using the Amendment to Statewide Voluntary Prekindergarten Provider Contract, Form DEL-VPK 20A (February 2026), which is hereby incorporated by reference and available at (HYPERLINK "http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19023"http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19023). Form DEL-VPK 20A (February 2026) must be executed by the coalition and VPK provider.

9. (8) VPK Program Ineligibility. For the purpose of this subsection, “individual associated with a provider” means an individual or family member of an individual who, regardless of compensation, holds a management position, oversees the operations of a provider, or is an officer, shareholder, beneficial owner, or member of the board of directors of a provider. A provider will not be eligible to contract to offer the VPK program if any of the following circumstances apply:

   1. (a) The coalition may refuse to contract with a provider or revoke a VPK provider’s eligibility to deliver the VPK program if the provider has been cited for a Class I violation by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), or local licensing agency, as applicable, in accordance with Rules 65C-22.010 or 65C-20.012, F.A.C. (as applicable to the provider type). Action taken by a coalition or school district to revoke a provider’s eligibility must be consistent with Sections 1002.55(6), 1002.61(10)(b), or 1002.63(9)(b), F.S., whichever is applicable. If the coalition chooses to implement this provision, the coalition must develop policies and procedures in accordance with Rule 6M-8.702, F.A.C., to ensure the standard is applied consistently to all VPK providers.
   2. (b) The provider is on the United States Department of Agriculture National Disqualified List, has been terminated from participation in the VPK Program due to fraud and is currently not eligible to participate in the program, or is currently ineligible to participate in the VPK Program pursuant to Sections 1002.55(6), 1002.61(10), 1002.63(9), or 1002.73(4)(c), F.S.
   3. (c) An individual associated with the provider was, or is, associated with another provider that is on the United States Department of Agriculture National Disqualified List, has been terminated from participation in the VPK Program due to fraud and is currently not eligible to participate in the program, or is currently ineligible to participate in the VPK Program pursuant to Sections 1002.55(6), 1002.61(10), 1002.63(9), or 1002.73(4)(c), F.S.
   4. (d) For providers removed from eligibility due to noncompliance with Section 1002.68, F.S., the revocation of eligibility applies to VPK program type (school-year or summer) in accordance with Rule 6M-8.702, F.A.C.
10. (9) Transfer of ownership. In the event of a change of ownership, sale, sale of assets, conveyance of ownership, or other transfer of ownership interest, the provider must notify the coalition no later than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the transfer of ownership. The coalition and new owner must execute a new VPK Provider Contract for VPK services, provided the new owner meets the eligibility requirements of Section 1002.55 or 1002.61, F.S., whichever is applicable, and is not ineligible to contract pursuant to subsection (8) of this rule. Upon receipt of a request for a new contract due to a transfer of ownership, the coalition has up to thirty (30) calendar days to execute or decline a new contract. This timeline may be extended if all prerequisite requirements have not been met.
11. (10) VPK Logotype Usage and Brand Guidelines, Form DEL-VPK 20B (February 2026), is hereby incorporated by reference and available at (HYPERLINK "http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19024"http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19024).

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(2)(n), 1002.73(1), 1002.79 FS. Law Implemented 1002.55(3)(i), (5), 1002.61(3)(b), 1002.63(3)(b), 1002.73(1), (4)(c), 1002.91(4), (5), (7) FS. History–New 8-17-06, Amended 5-24-07, 12-21-10, Formerly 60BB-8.301, Amended 4-9-15, 12-18-16, 11-29-18, 4-15-21, 3-15-22, 2-21-23, 2-24-26.