The Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI)

What is the VPI Program? 

The Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) provides quality early childhood education to at-risk 3 and 4-year-olds.

• Established to bridge the educational gap and prepare children for Kindergarten
• Focuses on equitable access to education
• Funded through state and local resources
• is not childcare/daycare

Where are the Preschool classrooms located? 

There are 2 classrooms that are located at each Elementary School with the exception of A.S. Rhodes. Eligible students who live in A.S. Rhodes school zone attend the VPI program at E. Wilson Morrison. 

What does a typical day in WCPS Preschool look like? 

• Play centers for literacy and math
• Small group instruction for academic concepts
• whole group carpet time for read-alouds and games
• Three Cheers for PreK Curriculum
• Daily recess
• Rest time
• Specials (Library, Art, Music & P.E.)
• Free breakfast & lunch & a PM snack (24-25 school year)

Ratios: 1 certified PreK teacher and 1 Instructional Assistant per classroom. Some classrooms do have 2 instructional assistants.

A typical class size ranges from 14-18 students.

**Regular attendance IS important!!

Warren County VPI Experiences

Our goal is to provide a quality early childhood education experience for our students. We work with local community efforts and elementary schools to provide the following services for all VPI students:

• Food Assistance Program
• Literacy Family Engagement Events
• STEM Family Engagement Events
• Music Therapy
• Wolf Trap Annual Outreach Programs
• Fire Safety Demonstrations
• Field Trips
• Holiday Assistance Programs

How are children found eligible? 

VPI State Criteria:                                                        

• Homelessness                 
• Family Income at or below 200% Federal poverty guidelines     
• Early Childhood Special Education - Must go through Child Find process or have a transfer IEP from another school division

VPI Local Criteria:

• Abuse/Trauma
• Child is in foster care
• Parent is incarcerated
• Child is an English Language Learner
• In Loco Parentis (child is being raised by a family other than parents)
• Family income at or below 225% Federal poverty guidelines

Child Find Process:

If you suspect that a child ages two through five (not yet eligible for kindergarten) has a disability such as a speech/language and/or developmental delay, the first step in the process is to contact the WCPS Child Find Center to "refer" the child. A child can be referred by a parent, doctor, case manager, teacher, speech pathologist, or any other concerned party

Please reach out to Jessica Vacca, Preschool Services & Child Find Coordinator at: jvacca@wcps.k12.va.us

Our Child Find Committee will schedule a meeting for your child to be screened. We will provide the necessary steps to support your child's development and growth.

Please return all paper copies of the application to: Skyline High School Attn: Preschool 151 Skyline Vista Dr., Front Royal, VA 22630

For any questions, please contact our Preschool Services & Child Find Coordinator, Jessica Vacca at: jvacca@wcps.k12.va.us