Pre-K/Early Learning

All children must be three by September 30th of the school year to enroll in the NKCPS Pre-K/Early Learning program. However, if your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and will be two years old by September 30th of the current year, please reach out to Student Services via email or phone at (804) 966-8525. If your child is Head Start-eligible but under the minimum age, contact WJCC-CAA to join their waitlist.

Each of these programs service students aged two to five with their own rules and regulations. See below for more information: 

• Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI): A state-funded preschool program in Virginia that serves three- and four-year-olds who are at risk of not being ready for kindergarten. It focuses on providing high-quality early learning experiences in alignment with Virginia’s standards and guidance.
• Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE): A program that provides special education and related services to children ages two to five with identified disabilities or developmental delays. Services are based on each child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and support their developmental and pre-academic growth.
• Head Start: A federally funded program that promotes school readiness for children ages three to five from low-income families. It provides comprehensive services—including education, health, nutrition, and family engagement—to support children’s overall development.

Even if your family does not fall into one of these programs, we welcome all families to apply!

NKCPS will begin advertising for the following school year in January. The electronic application will be posted the first week of February. Paper copies and translation services are available upon request. A screening day is hosted in March for all applicants. Students are highly encouraged to attend this screening day as we will verify residency and income, provide at-home resources, and informally screen each student alongside same-aged peers. Acceptance and waitlist letters come out in April via email.

NKCPS can support your child’s comprehensive needs. Please review the Child Find information and complete a referral form HERE. Questions? Please reach out to Student Services via email or phone at (804) 966-8525.

No! Students are not required to be potty-trained. If your child is accepted into the NKCPS Pre-K/Early Learning program and is not potty-trained, the teacher will collaborate with you to create a toilet-training plan.

The staff of NKCPS strive to send every child to their zoned school based upon their residential address. It is desired for students to attend and Pre-K/Early Learning program where they will go for kindergarten through fifth grade to reduce transitions. 

There are established attendance zones that determine which elementary school students are assigned. If you are unsure about which elementary school your child will attend, please review the attendance zone map. A waiver is available for parents who would like their child to attend an elementary school out of their prescribed attendance zone.  The waiver must be approved by the principal. A form for requesting the waiver of attendance zone placement and a form for employees of New Kent County Public Schools to request student admission or school placement can be found in the Out-of-Zone Attendance Guidelines and Forms.

Yes! All students accepted into the NKCPS Pre-K/Early Learning program may ride the school bus to and/or from school each day. If you prefer, students can also be dropped off and/or picked up in the car rider line.

Yes! Students may purchase breakfast and/or lunch and snacks on any day of the week. Regular meal prices apply. Families are encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Breakfast and Lunch Application to see if their family could receive meals at reduced or no cost. Visit our NKCPS School Nutrition webpage to view menus, access the Free and Reduced Lunch Application, learn about our online lunch account system, and more.  

Most classes have a mix of ages between three and four. Classes are capped at 18 students with two adults creating a max of 1:9 adult to student ratio.

The NKCPS Pre-K/Early Learning program is run free of charge for families!

The Pre-K/Early Learning program is a full-day program that follows the same bell schedule and calendar as kindergarten through fifth grade. View our School Hours, Arrivals, & Departures webpage to learn more. Pre-K/Early Learning program students will observe the same break schedule as their kindergarten through fifth grade peers. Visit our Calendar webpage to view the current Official NKCPS Academic Calendar, Calendar Snapshot, and more.

We look forward to seeing you and your prospective Pre-K/Early Learning student soon. Please bring all of the following documents that apply to your family, along with your child:

• all W2s for each parent/guardian
• 2-3 paystubs for each job per working parent/guardian
• TANF verification
• SNAP verification
• SSI verification
• Child support documentation
• Social Security explanation & benefits
• Foster care / Kinship care documentation 
• WIC verification 
• Childcare subsidy
• Alimony / Spousal support documentation 
• VA benefits verification 
• Unemployment benefits information 
• Disability documentation for parent/guardian and/or child (IEP, IFSP, referral, etc.) 
• Section 8 / Subsidized housing documentation
• Rental income documentation
• Trust verification 

We have many individuals here to support you. Please see below to determine your best contact. 

• Accepted students: Contact your zoned school:
  • George W. Watkins Elementary: email or call (804) 966-9660  
  • New Kent Elementary: email or call (804) 966-9663
  • Quinton Elementary: email or call (804) 557-3105 
• Have concerns about your child’s development? Contact Student Services via email or phone at (804) 966-8525.
• For general Pre-K/Early Learning program questions: Contact the Office of Innovation and Development via email or phone at (804) 557-3061.