NC PRE-K APPLICATIONS

Apply for 2025-2026

For children who are 4 years old on or before August 31, 2025, apply using our online application or by downloading and printing the PDF of the application.

Your child’s application packet will be processed if all required paperwork is included. Application packets with missing documents are on hold until complete.

Apply Online

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Or Print the Application

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Here are some resources to make copies of documents for the application packets. These resources charge a small fee and most are open seven days a week: UPS Stores, FedEx stores, Kinkos, Office Max/Depot,  Library card holders – Union County Libraries.

Required Health Forms

Prepare Now! Health forms listed below must be given to your child’s school:

• Child’s current shot records (due upon enrollment)
• To print Health and Dental Assessment Form click on link below (State law requires this form to be completed)
• Doctor completed health assessment (law requires within 30 days of enrollment)
• Dentist or doctor completed dental screening (law requires within 30 days of enrollment)

Download the Health and Dental Assessment form

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For help finding a Medical Home or for information on free or low-cost children’s health insurance, call the N.C. Family Health Resource Line at:  1-800-367-2229.

NC PRE-K FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is NC Pre-K free?

NC Pre-K class hours are free for eligible children.

How do I apply for NC Pre-K? 

Print an application or apply on this website.

OR

Visit 2661 W. Roosevelt Blvd. Suite A; Monroe NC 28110 for a printed form.

• Complete the application fully, sign and date.
• Supply copies of the documents listed at the top of the application form.
• Return copies of the entire packet to the Alliance for Children office for processing. (Incomplete packets cannot be processed for placement).

Proof of income

Provide copies of documents that provide the best picture of your current income. Choose one of the options below:

• Copies of a month’s worth of recent, consecutive paychecks for parents/stepparents/legal guardians and/or legal custodians in the home.
• Worked at the same job for all of 2024? 2024 tax returns or W-2 forms
• If a new job, a copy of the job offer letter from employer including pay details.
• For families who only receive cash compensation, visit our office for a form or provide a signed, dated statement of how many hours you work each week and the rate of pay. Include your employer’s name and number for verification.
• If a parent in the home does not work and receives no income, the parent must sign, date, and initial the application to verify their income status.

OR    If the child/family receives one of the services below (families of eight or less) provide a copy of one of these options:

• Family Food and Nutrition benefit letter (dated within one year of application date)
• WIC service documentation
• Public Housing benefit letter
• WorkFirst Benefits Letter
• SSI
• SNAP Benefits Letter
• Foster Care (letter from DSS documenting foster placement)
• Homeless or no income (parent signed statement)
• Child’s current Medicaid eligibility letter

If any of these items apply, add income documentation for:

• Copies of alimony documentation
• Copies of child support documentation
• Copies of disability payments (including military disability paperwork)
• Copy of unemployment compensation letter

Proof of residency

Copies of two documents with a parent’s name and the current address can include:

• Recent utility bills, internet bills, phone bills, lease agreement or mortgage statement
• Copies of car registration, car insurance, or driver’s license
• Copies of home insurance with parent’s name and current address

Parents who live with family members:

The host family will complete a certification of residency form, have it notarized, and provide one proof of residency document. Provide copies of these documents with the child’s application packet. Certification of Residence  *Keep a copy of these documents.

*Keep a copy of these documents for your records.

Next Steps?

• Alliance for Children’s NC Pre-K staff processes applications for eligibility. If your child is four by August 31 and your family meets income eligibility, it is likely that your child will be placed in NC Pre-K (subject to state funding).
• If your eligible child is placed, the site director will contact you to complete site required paperwork. Your child’s teacher will call you in late August to set up a home/school visit and two Beginner’s Days for your child.
• If your child is not eligible (child is not four years old by August 31 and family is not income eligible) you will be notified by phone or email.

Health Forms

The state requires updated immunization records and a Medical/Dental Report to be on file at your child’s school in August.  A copy of a recent physical and dental screening dated within one year of your child’s first school day is valid.  Give the doctor completed health paperwork to your child’s teacher or site director.  Make plans early to have these documents ready for August. Keep copies of this paperwork.

Classes start in late August, why turn in my application early?

To plan enough classrooms and hire the most qualified teachers, we need to know how many students to expect!

• You may have the opportunity for placement at a site that is more convenient. You drop off and pick up your child each day.
• Earlier placement allows the site to connect with you and give you site paperwork to complete and return before school starts– for an easier August!

When do NC Pre-K students start school?

NC Pre-K closely follows the UCPS calendar, but with a slower beginning to help children transition into the program. Your child will have a home or school visit with the classroom teachers, and two Beginner’s Days with small groups of classmates. Teachers will call you in late August to schedule late August dates. Be sure to check your voice mail for messages.

My older children attend school per UCPS attendance lines. Why is my child placed at another school for NC Pre-K?

NC Pre-K state funding is provided through the Alliance for Children in Union County. Our agency subcontracts NC Pre-K services with approved four and five-star licensed childcare sites/schools who agree to meet NC Pre-K quality standards.

For kindergarten, you register your child for Kindergarten following UCPS attendance lines, or in the charter school of your choice.  Review options here: Kindergarten Search (ncdhhs.gov).  UCPS generally opens Kindergarten registration on their website in February.

What are NC Pre-K hours?

Most sites operate from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm.  Walter Bickett Education Center hours are 7:00 am to 1:30 pm.  Classes close on school workdays, holidays, and school breaks.  On-time, regular attendance helps your child get the long-lasting, positive benefits of NC Pre-K!

Is there a bus? 

Parents must drop off and pick up students each day for all NC Pre-K sites.

What if I need before or after school care for my child?

Parents arrange and pay the site for care outside NC Pre-K hours. Contact Union County Health and Human Services at 704-706-9494 to apply for an income based childcare voucher. See the site options list for sites that offer wrap around care.

How should my child dress for NC Pre-K?

Weather appropriate, comfortable clothing with closed-toed shoes. Children learn outdoors and paint in the art center. It helps to keep a change of clothes at school in case of spills.

Will I need to purchase any supplies?

Provide a backpack, a light blanket, and a crib sized sheet for rest time.  Your teacher may ask for contributions of small, inexpensive items for classroom studies on a voluntary basis.

Why should I place my child in NC Pre-K?

Participation in NC Pre-K helps your child strengthen a variety of skills in preparation for kindergarten.  Examples include pre-literacy, pre-academic, following directions, persisting at new or challenging activities, interacting with other students, and learning friendship skills.

Family Involvement

In late August, your child’s teacher will call you to set up family visit at your home or at school. Many sites offer open house events at the beginning of the year.  Family/teacher conferences are scheduled for you and the teachers to talk about your child’s successes, and how you can work together to strengthen skills.  You will be invited to family events hosted at your child’s NC Pre-K site.  Family participation and open, honest communication with your teachers is vital to your child’s success.

Homework

Your homework is reading for fifteen to twenty minutes nightly with your child!  Benefits include building vocabulary and strengthening language skills. It’s a good opportunity to have one on one time with your child.  Visit your local library to ask the children’s librarian for age-appropriate books matching your child’s interests.  http://www.union.lib.nc.us/. Ask about e-books and look for child-focused activities offered at the library.

NC Pre-K applications are welcomed all year for open spots or wait list, subject to availability.

Need more information? Email: NCPre-K@theAllianceforChildren.org

PARENT RESOURCES

Parent Resources:

Union County NC Pre-K teachers use Conscious Discipline®  and Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning to help children develop their social, emotional and self-regulation skills. There are many free tools for parents on these websites:   www.ConsciousDiscipline.com. These tools can help you learn to support your young children’s behavior at home as well.

Watch the First Five Years Fund video: Early Learning Matters.

Ideas to have fun and help support your child’s behavior, learning and development:

https://www.healthychildren.org

https://www.healthychildren.org/spanish/ages-stages/paginas/default.aspx

http://talkingisteaching.org/

https://sesamestreetincommunities.org

https://www.youtube.com/user/joinvroom  (check out the Daily Vroom app!)

http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/

http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/family.html

http://www.first5california.com/

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/reading-tips-parents-preschoolers

http://pbskids.org/

In addition to NC Pre-K, the Alliance for Children offers programs that support the education and well-being of children ages birth through five years old. See the programs tab on this website to learn more.