If you have a young child, you may already be counting down the days till they qualify for voluntary Pre-K. In Florida, once your child turns 4 years old, they are eligible for free VPK, which equals 540 hours of instruction; that's usually a few hours every morning. But the bill for the rest of the day still falls on the parents to pick up.

But Early education is so important. Doctors will be the first to tell you to talk and sing to your baby while theyre in the womb. Babies are soaking up Information while in utero, and the first three years of life are critical.

WATCH full report by Heather Leigh

From what I've understood, that's the most important learning years you're really setting them up for success," said Karen Cress, a mom of three.

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborou

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