WINSTON-SALEM, NC (February 6, 2025) – Forsyth County’s registration window for free Pre-K programs for the 2025-2026 school year is now open. To simplify the registration process, there is one common application for all free Pre-K programs which include NC Pre-K classrooms in private child care centers, Head Start centers, Pre-K classrooms in select Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) elementary schools and the Quality Education Institute charter school. In total, there are approximately 1,400 free Pre -K classroom slots available, which is not enough to meet the demand and waiting lists are expected.
“Although this is not a first come, first served program, and notification of classroom placements does not begin until June 1, we encourage every family interested in these free Pre-K offerings to start the registration process early,” said Saquana Terry, Director of Children & Family Services at Smart Start of Forsyth County. “Starting early ensures your family has the time to fully complete the application and ask any questions that you may have throughout the process.”
Families can download the Pre-K application from Smart Start of Forsyth County, Family Services or the WS/FCS Office of Preschool. Applications are also available at Smart Start’s offices at 7820 North Point Boulevard and the Head Start locations at 3410 Healy Drive and Winston-Salem State University at 1850 Cromartie Street. Smart Start provides assistance with the application process, and families who have questions or need support should contact the office at 336-725-6011 to meet with a Smart Start team member.
As part of the application process, families will identify their first, second and third choice of Pre-K classroom placements from the 23 WS/FCS school sites, 9 private child care centers, 4 Head Start locations and the Quality Education Institute charter school. Once the application and preference form are fully completed, families will receive an Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) from the WS/FCS Office of Preschool to help identify children with academical developmental needs.
“We work closely with families to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for the NC Pre-K program, Head Start and Title I program, including income, family size, demonstrated educational needs and other risk factors,” said Terry. “For example, families who don’t meet certain income requirements, may still be eligible for placement in a Pre-K classroom through WS/FCS if there is an educational or developmental need. Our goal is to place every eligible child in the Pre-K location of their family’s choice. It’s not always possible, but our team works very hard throughout the process because we know a high-quality Pre-K experience is so important for these young learners.”
Once a Pre-K placement is made, families will be connected to that school or center. Families offered placement through Head Start will work with a Family Services Head Start Family Advocate.
According to Terry, here are four common questions asked by families considering a free Pre-K program.
Is my child eligible for free Pre-K if we exceed the income requirements?
The NC Pre-K, Head Start and Title I programs do have certain income requirements, however, there are Pre-K classroom spaces through WS/FCS for children with demonstrated educational or development needs. We encourage all families to complete the Pre-K application and the Ages & Stages Questionnaires from WS/FCS to determine your eligibility.
When will I know if and where my child is being placed?
Placement letters will go out to families between June 1 and July 31. Applications opened Feb. 3. A schedule of application submission windows is available on the Pre-K application. Families who submit their applications after July 31 are more likely to be placed on a waiting list.
What is the Pre-K schedule?
The Pre-K program operates on a schedule similar to the public schools, although certain Pre-K locations have different hours of operation. The Pre-K application includes information on each location’s arrival & dismissal times as well as the availability of before/after care.
Is transportation provided?
No -- families are responsible for providing transportation for their child.
The Pre-K Priority, a community coalition working to improve the quality, accessibility, and number of Pre-K classrooms in Forsyth County, is helping spread awareness about Pre-K registration and the options available to families. Later this month, The Pre-K Priority will send postcards to Forsyth County families with preschool- age children letting them know that registration for Pre-K has started. There’s also an interactive tool on The Pre-K Priority website, prekpriority.org/register, that families can use to learn about local Pre-K options. Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) is a local agency that helps families find Pre-K programs in Forsyth County (and surrounding counties) through its comprehensive database of more than 1,200 child care programs. According to Executive Director Katura Jackson, families should start connecting with CCRC now to begin identifying Pre-K programs.
“Unfortunately, our Pre-K landscape continues to shrink as more child care centers are reducing the number of available classrooms or closing their doors entirely,” said Jackson. “It’s a very challenging environment for child care operators to run their centers, retain their workforce and keep their rates affordable for families. With fewer classroom spaces, families may struggle to find the center that best fits their needs and budget so you want to give yourself time to navigate the process.”
In addition to supporting Pre-K registration efforts, The Pre-K Priority and its community partners are working on a number of local early childhood education initiatives. A foundational element of The Pre-K Priority’s community impact is a two-year initiative supporting a cohort of 30 Pre-K classrooms with additional high- quality resources for 60 teachers, more than 400 students and their families. The initiative was launched in the fall of 2023 with more than $4 million in ARPA grant funds from the Forsyth County Commissioners and the City of Winston-Salem. The initiative’s first-year report presented in June 2024 demonstrated strong results in terms of student achievement, family engagement and teacher support and retention. More information about the work of The Pre-K Priority at prekpriority.org.
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