Other private preschools will offer a three-hour day.

Still others plan a three- hour day paid for by the state, but offer extra hours that parents pay for themselves.

Confusing?

That could be one reason parents are not racing to enroll in the program that begins in less than four weeks.

Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings is using television ads to push parents of 4-year-olds to enroll.

On Friday, she traveled to Tampa and Fort Myers to gather local and state officials involved in voluntary prekindergarten to rally support.

The officials acknowledge that the program is still being put together, but they want parents and providers to sign up anyway.

There is no deadline to enroll, but officials fear that parents will simply show up when schools open in August. Jennings said she envisions some parents simply taking their 4- year-olds to school bus stops or public schools in August to start prekindergatden.

Relatively few public schools are offering the school-year program, and none in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

``It's that first day we're all concerned about - or two days before,'' she said. ``We're really kind of holding our breath.''

The new program, mandated by voters in 2002, will provide state vouchers to providers to pay for 540 hours of preschool during the school year for families of 4-year-olds that want it. Approved private, faith-based and home providers are being relied upon to provide the classes.

Parents also can opt for a 300-hour summer program at public schools with certified teachers, but those details are even more fuzzy.

It appears some counties may have enough spaces and others may not have enough, but the state does not know how many children are registered at individual preschools.

As of Friday, parents and guardians of 68,843 children statewide had reported for face-to-face interviews with state officials to enroll in the program. There were 28,777 preschool slots approved.

Parents must also enroll the students at a particular school or with a home provider, a separate process.

Hillsborough has about 100 providers who have signed contracts and about 1,900 students who have completed all paperwork to be enrolled in the program, said Dave McGerald, executive director of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County. It appears that the Hillsborough school district has plenty of slots for students, but it won't really be known until students register in specific schools or homes, he said.

The state estimates that up to 150,000 students across Florida may be eligible, but some families will choose schools or day care centers not taking part in the state program and others may choose to keep their children home or with relatives.

Some providers are waiting for more details or to see how the program rolls out, but some are forging ahead.

Kid's Planet, on 54th Avenue North in St. Petersburg, participated in a pilot program for the state last year. Director Judith Miller said she will continue that program by providing six hours of school readiness skills plus two hours of essentials such as naps and snacks. The children will be enrolled using the state voucher from either August to December or from January to May, she said.

``A three-hour day is just not enough time to learn all the skills,'' Miller said. Her August class is already full.

Parents choose their own preschools from an approved list.

Jennings stressed that it is up to parents to put the pressure on preschools to participate and to provide flexibility with hours.

TO REGISTER

Parents or guardians of children who will be 4 in or before September who want to take part in Florida's new voluntary prekindergarten program must register in person. Bring proof of residency (utility bill, bank statement, insurance policy) and proof of child's birth date (birth record, passport, certificate of arrival in the United States, military dependent card). The certificate you receive can be used at any approved provider where your child is accepted. July registrations in Hillsborough County are:

* July 16: Children's Board of Hillsborough County, 1002 E. Palm Ave., Tampa; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* July 18: Riverview Elementary School, 10809 Hannaway Drive, Riverview; 2 to 6 p.m.

* July 19: University Mall Family Resource Center, 12358 University Mall Court, Tampa; 3 to 8 p.m.

* July 20: Brandon Family Resource Center, 1275 Kingsway Road, Brandon; 3:30 to 8 p.m.

* July 23: University Mall Family Resource Center, 12358 University Mall Court, Tampa; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Source: Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069.