Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando will begin offering a voluntary pre-K program as a part of its Richard S. Adler Early Childhood Learning Center. VPK is a free prekindergarten program for 4-year-olds who reside in Florida and were born on or before Sept. 1 each year. The JCC's Jack & Lee Rosen Southwest Orlando Campus has offered VPK since it opened its new facility several years ago.

The daily three-hour program will be offered both in the morning (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) and afternoon (12:30-3:30 p.m.). Parents do not pay anything, as the program is fully funded by the Orange and Seminole Early Learning Coalition.

"We are thrilled to be able to open the doors to our award-winning center to more families through VPK," said Carol McNally, early childhood director.

The Roth JCC's VPK program will be taught by experienced, degreed, and VPK-trained teachers and will include the following curricular units: Land of the Letter People, Math Their Way, Handwriting Without Tears, Human Rights Curriculum "Project Protect," "The Art of Discovery" science program, Nemours' "Healthy Habits for Life," The Vanderbilt School of Social-Emotional Competence program, and The Arts: Music, Movement, Creative Art, Dramatic Play.

The school year dates are Aug, 18, 2014 to June 5, 2015. The JCC's early childhood program is accredited by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. Extended care is available for parents who require it.

For more information or to arrange a tour, contact Carol McNally, Early Childhood director, at 407-621-4065 or at CarolM@orlandojcc.org.