NC Pre-K Program
The NC Pre-K Program is designed to provide high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness for eligible four-year-old children.
***DISCLAIMER***
IF you have any changes to your NC Pre-K Application please call us at (919) 774-9496.
DO NOT CREATE MORE THAN ONE APPLICATION.
***ADVERTENCIA***
SI tiene algún cambio en su Aplicación de NC Pre-K por favor llámenos al (919) 774-9496.
NO HAGA MÁS DE UNA APLICACIÓN.
23-24 School Year
THIS NC PRE-K APPLICATION IS ONLY FOR:
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Children who are 4 years old on or before August 31st, 2023
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Interested in Pre-K Sites located in Lee County. You do not have to live in Lee County to apply but we do place Lee County children first. This could mean your child is placed on our waiting list.
PLACEMENT PROCESS:
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Parents will be notified of the status of their child's application within a month of completion.
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Completed applications between the dates of February 20 and May 1 will be considered in the first round of placements on June 9.
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Letters with placement information will be mailed to families on June 9.
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Completed applications between the dates of May 2 to July 14 will be considered in the second round of placements on July 21.
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Letters with placement information will be mailed to families on July 21.
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School will start on August 14 of this year, so after that second round we will only be placing weekly as the applications come in.
OPTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY STARTING FEBRUARY 20, 2023:
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Online Application
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Print Application
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Pick Up an Application | 507 N Steele Street, Sanford | 2nd Floor of the Mann Center
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In Person Appointment | Call (919)774-9496 to Schedule
DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR NC PRE-K APPLICATION
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION:
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Completed Application (signed & dated)
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Child’s Birth Certificate
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Proof of Income | Options: ONE month's worth of the most recent pay stubs or 2022 Taxes
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If you don't receive pay stubs we would need a letter signed and dated from your employer stating: how many hours per week you work, your hourly rate, and how much you are paid weekly. We have a form (Employment Verification) for this which can be picked up, printed (link at the end of this page) or requested to be sent as an email or text.
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If you are currently unemployed we would need your signature on the online or printed application stating this. We also have a form (Unemployment Statement) for this which can be picked up, printed (link at the end of this page) or requested to be sent as an email or text.
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Additional Income | Unemployment, Social Security for parents or child, Court-Ordered Child Support
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Residence Verification
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Only choose ONE of these options: water bill, light bill, mortgage agreement or lease agreement
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If none of the above documents are under the parent or guardian's name we will still need one of the above documents with a written statement from the person who is on the document you will be using stating you and the child live at that address signed and dated. We have a form (Residence Verification) for this which can be picked up, printed (link at the end of this page) or requested to be sent as an email or text.
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IF APPLICABLE, TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY:
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Documentation of Legal Documentation for Guardianship or Custody
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Disability Documentation
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Chronic Health Condition Documentation
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Documentation for Developmental Need
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Documentation for Educational Need
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IEP Documentation
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Military Documentation (LES)
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VA Disability Award Letter
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED UPON FIRST DATE OF ATTENDANCE:
These two documents must be presented to your child’s teacher at your Pre-K orientation or on your child’s first date of attendance.
Failure to do so will result in your child’s disenrollment from NC Pre-K.
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Updated Vaccination Record
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Health Assessment
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Must include: hearing, vision, and dental screenings
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Dental Screening form can be picked up, printed (link at the end of this page) or requested to be sent as an email or text.
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Use "Children's Medical Report Form" which can be picked up, printed (link at the end of this page) or requested to be sent as an email or text.
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Must be signed and dated within the last 12 months
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IF you are not able to upload the required documents to the online application
IF you choose to do the printable version
IF you are missing additional documents or have any changes
Here are your options to add documents to your NC Pre-K File:
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EMAIL documents to ncprek@pfcf.org
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Subject Line: Child's Full Name and Date of Birth
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DROP DOCUMENTS OFF during business hours
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2nd floor of the Mann Center on 507 N Steele Street or drop box
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DROP DOCUMENTS OFF after business hours
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Pre-K Drop Box beside our front door on 507 N Steele Street
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TEXT DOCUMENTS to 919-283-3229
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Text Child's Full Name and Date of Birth BEFORE any documents
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NC PRE-K PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS | MUST READ
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Eligibility does NOT mean automatic placement. Once found eligible, everyone is put on a waiting list. Placement is made in our statewide system based on a variety of factors.
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If you do not wish to attend the site at which you are assigned you are placed at the bottom of the waiting list and future placement is not guaranteed.
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NC Pre-K uses a staggered entry system similar to that the school system uses for Kindergarteners. You will receive more specific information regarding the start of school and your child’s staggered entry date from the site.
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A Home Visit will be scheduled before the child’s first day of school. This is a requirement and will be scheduled by the site. Reason for this Home Visit is to build a relationship and help with the transition.
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Attendance is a requirement. If your child is absent the site will contact you. If they are out for more than 3 days a Home Visit may be conducted. Continued unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the program as there is a waiting list of children wishing to attend NC Pre-K.
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While transportation is a possibility at some sites, it is not a guarantee. The opportunity for transportation will depend on existing bus routes and will be addressed at the site level once your child is placed.
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Health forms must be submitted within 30 days of the first day of school. If you have not had an appointment yet, you must have in writing the date the appointment is scheduled.
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Children at public sites (Warren Williams and Broadway Elementary) may be charged for lunch if they do not qualify for the free and reduced food program. Children at private sites are all provided free lunch. Aside from possible field trips, no additional charges should be required of NC Pre-K families.
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All sites have lead teachers with a 4 year college degree and either have or are working toward a teaching license. Assistant teachers have or are working toward an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
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You should expect your child to have a day full of PLAY experiences that equal real learning! 4 and 5 year old children should be playing – not sitting at desks. Rest assured, in doing so, your children are learning and will be better prepared for Kindergarten.
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Children enrolled in NC Pre-K should not receive homework. It is not developmentally appropriate for this age.
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NC Pre-K is a program for at-risk children. This risk is based on a variety of factors. Your child may have peers who are around other children their age for the first time or children who have not spent much time outside of the home. This may be an adjustment for some kids. Please be patient and understanding with your child’s teachers and peers as they navigate this transition. This is no different from what your child will experience in Kindergarten. It is all part of the learning process!
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Family engagement is a part of the NC Pre-K Program. You should expect to be invited to events at your child’s school and we hope you will be able to participate.
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At any time you may request to have your child observed for developmental delays, social/emotional concerns, or for any other reason applicable to their success in school. Contact our office at any time.
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Above all, expect your child to have an academically and socially fulfilling year kicking off their formal education on the right foot!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Who is eligible for the NC Pre-K Program?
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At-risk is the first priority for enrolling children. At-risk is defined as family income at or below 75% of the State Median Income. Other eligible children can be enrolled after all at-risk children have been enrolled. Eligible children are children experiencing homelessness, those with Limited English Proficiency, those with a Chronic Health Condition, children who demonstrate development or educational need based on the results of an approved assessment tool, or children who have a parent who is on active military duty or has been seriously injured while on active duty military in the recent past.
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When does the program begin?
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The NC Pre-K Program operates on the public school calendar.
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What is the NC Pre-K Program?
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The NC Pre-K Program is designed to provide at-risk, four-year-old children with an opportunity for quality preschool education. This school day program is designed to provide young children with access to a structured curriculum and preschool experience that will enhance their readiness for school. Partnership for Children & Families supports NC Pre-K classrooms throughout Lee County in select public schools and in licensed child care centers.
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How much does it cost for my child to attend the NC Pre-K Program?
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NC Pre-K through Partnership for Children & Families is at no cost to those who qualify.
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