New bill aims to expand Florida's Pre-K program

By
Published  January 8, 2025 10:01am EST
FOX 13 News

The Brief

    • A new legislative proposal would expand Florida's voluntary Pre-K program.
    • It would expand Florida's Pre-K programs from four hours a day to eight.
    • Right now, childcare affordability issues are costing parents, and their employers, $5.4 billion, according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

TAMPA - Parents with younger kids may soon have more flexibility throughout the day.

Florida Senator Lori Berman filed new legislation to expand voluntary Pre-K programs from four hours a day to eight. Right now, parents have to pick up their kids after four hours, or pay for the second half of the day.

"Right now, if a parent has to leave work and pick up a child at 12:00, or whatever the half-day point is, it is very disruptive to a parent’s work routine," Sen. Berman said.

Florida Senator Lori Berman filed new legislation to expand voluntary Pre-K programs from four hours a day to eight.

Supporters of the bill say it’s tough for parents to stop what they’re doing in the middle of the day and pick up their kids, or to come up with the money to pay for the second half of the day.

According to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, childcare affordability issues are costing parents, and their employers, $5.4 billion.

Gasparilla safety: Law enforcement prepares for Pirate Invasion following New Orleans terrorist attack

A study by the Florida Chamber Foundation in 2023 found about 30% of parents in Florida say childcare issues disrupt their employment. 

A quarter cut back on their hours at work and one in six left their jobs altogether to take care of their kids.

Sen. Berman says giving parents the ability to have a full-day VPK program would not only help families with the cost of childcare, but also help kids who would be in school learning longer each day.

"Everybody wants our children to succeed. Everybody wants to make life easier for our working parents. Both of those are strong goals of this legislation," she said.

Florida Senator Lori Berman filed new legislation to expand voluntary Pre-K programs from four hours a day to eight.

Local perspective

In the Tampa Bay Area, some districts are already taking steps towards expanding VPK.

Sarasota’s school board unanimously approved its legislative priorities for 2025 in August.

READ: Tampa's housing market slides in national rankings, experts remain optimistic

The legislative priorities include extending the VPK school year from 540 hours to 720 hours, and increasing provider reimbursements for high-quality instruction.

What's next

Sen. Berman proposed several other bills dealing with the costs of childcare for this next session that starts in March.

The other bills would expand parental leave for state employees, allow campaign funds to be used for childcare and create a universal free school breakfast and lunch program.

She proposed them last session too, but they didn’t get any hearings. Sen. Berman says she’s hopeful they’ll pass this session.

Loading Video…

This browser does not support the Video element.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:

TampaEducation