While statewide readiness remains a challenge, 100% of Fuller Center’s VPK graduates met kindergarten readiness benchmarks for the second consecutive year.
As thousands of Florida children prepare to enter kindergarten this fall, recently released Florida Department of Education data reveal that only 44% of students entering public schools last year met the state’s kindergarten readiness benchmark.
At Fuller Center, the results tell a very different story.
For the second consecutive year, 100% of Fuller Center’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) graduates met Florida’s kindergarten readiness benchmark, demonstrating what is possible when children have access to high-quality early education during their most important developmental years.
The numbers illustrate both the value of quality early education, and the challenge Florida still faces in preparing children for kindergarten. While 72% of children completing VPK met the state’s readiness benchmark at the end of the program, only 44% of all children entering public-school kindergarten met that same benchmark at the start of the 2025/26 school year. Fuller Center’s VPK graduates achieved a 100% readiness rate.
“These numbers tell two stories,” said Eric Roby, Chief Executive Officer of Fuller Center. “The first is that too many children across Florida are starting school already behind. The second is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Every child deserves the opportunity to enter kindergarten confident, prepared and ready to learn. Fuller Center’s results demonstrate what can happen when families have access to high-quality early education, experienced teachers, and individualized support from the very beginning.”
Fuller Center believes kindergarten readiness begins years before a child enters VPK. Serving children from six weeks of age through Voluntary Prekindergarten, Fuller Center has built its Early Learning Program around the belief that kindergarten readiness is developed over several years—not during the final months before children enter elementary school. Through small class sizes, individualized instruction, evidence-based literacy practices, hands-on STEM experiences, social-emotional learning, nutritious meals and strong family wraparound services, the organization helps children develop the academic, language, cognitive and social skills they need for long-term success.
The program also recognizes that supporting children means supporting working families. Fuller Center provides affordable, high-quality early education and full-day care that allows parents to remain in the workforce while knowing their children are learning in a safe, nurturing and academically rich environment.
“Early childhood education is one of the smartest investments we can make as a community,” Roby said. “The research is clear that children who begin school prepared are more likely to read proficiently, graduate from high school and experience lifelong success. Our mission is to ensure that every child—regardless of family income—has access to that opportunity.”
With enrollment underway for the upcoming school year, Fuller Center has limited openings available in select Early Learning classrooms and its Voluntary Prekindergarten program. Families seeking affordable, award-winning early education are encouraged to inquire soon, as space is limited.
For more information about Fuller Center’s Early Learning Program or to inquire about enrollment, visit www.fullercenterfl.org.
ABOUT FULLER CENTER
For 55 years, Fuller Center has embraced, educated and empowered hardworking, under-resourced families across South Florida. Serving more than 1,000 children annually—from infants through teens—and supporting more than 700 families across Palm Beach and Broward counties, Fuller Center provides affordable, high-quality early education, private elementary education, out-of-school programs, teen leadership development and family support services. Each year, the organization provides more than 332,000 nutritious meals and snacks while helping children thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
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