Families

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Click below to apply online or leave a message at 1-833-773-5338 to schedule a virtual application appointment with a Bilingual Pre-K Application Specialist.

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Resources

Durham PreK works closely with many local organizations and resources that serve Durham children and families. Click the button below to find resources for your family!

Urgent Child Care Needs During COVID-19

Our staff members are part of the team of NC Child Care Resource and Referral Specialists who are operating the statewide child care referral hotline. If you are a family needing referral support from the hotline, please call 1-888-600-1685. If you need other information or support or are a prior referral client needing additional/follow-up services, please call 1-855-327-5933 or email us, and we will respond as soon as possible.

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Enrollment

All Durham County children who have turned four by August 31 of the school year attending are eligible for Durham PreK. Below is Durham PreK’s 2020-2021 sliding scale for families:

Free for families below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) based on household size
4% parent fee at 400% FPL and above based on families' gross monthly income

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Site Locations

Durham PreK sites completed the provider application process and were chosen based on a rubric that ensured high-quality education for each child. Each classroom will have a Birth-to-Kindergarten Licensed teacher and will follow the high-quality standards determined by the Durham PreK Governance Committee.

Search our interactive map to see which Durham PreK sites are near you!

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I'm excited to be one of the inaugural sites. This is a great collaboration for our community. Durham is moving in the right direction in helping children have a strong foundation for a wonderful and bright future. Our entire community will benefit from this collaboration for years to come. It is a great investment for Durham.

Cheryl Brown, Owner of Brown’s Early Learning School

FAQs

How do I apply for Durham PreK?

You can apply online for the 2020-2021 school year in English or in Spanish or download the paper application here. To receive assistance in completing the application, schedule a virtual application appointment by leaving a message at 1-833-PREK-EDU.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, however, we encourage families to apply by May 15th to be considered for all programs. Families are still able to submit an application after the May 15th deadline, but can only be considered for Durham PreK and NC Pre-K private sites, and Head Start classrooms.

An application appointment is not an interview. During your virtual appointment, an application counselor will help complete your application, provide information on how to submit your documents and answer any additional questions. You can find more information on applying for Durham PreK on our Enrollment page.

Download our preschool flyer in English or Spanish.

What are the hours for Durham PreK?

Most Durham PreK classrooms follow the Durham Public Schools Traditional Calendar, with the exception of Holt Elementary and Pearsontown Elementary which operate on the Durham Public Schools Year Round Calendar. Both calendars are available under Family Resources.

All sites operate on a 6.5 hour school day, and some sites may offer before and after care. Families will be able to indicate their location preferences during the application appointment.

Click here for the Before and After School Care Information Packet to view the hours and fees at each of the Durham PreK, NC Pre-K and Head Start sites. Durham Public Schools does not currently offer after school care, with the exception of The Whitted School.

Who is eligible to apply for PreK in Durham?

Any family living in Durham County with a child who will be 4 by August 31st of the PreK year is eligible to apply. Eligibility for PreK services in Durham is not limited by income.

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We are so pleased to see this expansion of these critical enrichment services for our four year olds. We absolutely believe this is one of the smartest investments we can make in Durham’s future.

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