Families

Apply Now

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.

Enroll Your Child

Resources

Durham PreK works closely with many local organizations and resources that serve Durham children and families. Click the buttons below to find resources and the community event calendar!

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Community Calendar

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.

If I submit a Universal PreK application, where will my child be placed?

PreK classrooms in Durham are supported by a mix of programs, including NC Pre-K, Head Start, Durham Public Schools, and Durham PreK. Participating PreK classrooms may be in a public school setting, a Head Start facility, or at a private child care facility that meets certain quality standards. Some facilities will have seats from only one of these programs, others will have a mix of seats. Every child with a Universal PreK application will receive a developmental screening*. The results of the screening, general program eligibility, parent preference, and distance from home are all taken into consideration during the placement process.

*Until further notice, all pre-K screenings for the 2021-22 school year application will be completed over the phone due to COVID-19. School year 2021-22 applicants will receive a call within a couple of weeks of submitting the application online, by phone or by mail based on the time preference indicated in your online application. Calls will likely show up as private because staff are working remotely and are using their personal phones. Thank you for your patience and understanding. For questions about the online application, families can email prek@childcareservices.org or call 1-833-773-5338. For questions about screenings, families can email kelly.cosby@dpsnc.net.

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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.

Wendy Jacobs, Chair of the Durham County BOCC

The Universal Pre-K Application for the 2021-22 school year will open in FEBRUARY 2021. For more information, visit the Enrollment page. To be notified when the application is available, fill out an interest form here.