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DTECPS → Prekindergarten Information

 

Prekindergarten & Head Start

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Prekindergarten/Head Start program proudly partners with high-quality community-based prekindergarten providers to offer income-eligible families expanded, high-quality prekindergarten options for 3- and 4-year-olds. This collaborative approach reflects Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future, focusing on a mixed delivery system expanding access to prekindergarten while maintaining rigorous quality standards and increasing family choice. Our programs are held to strong quality expectations and aim to build a solid foundation in early literacy, numeracy, social-emotional development, and kindergarten readiness.

Eligible families can access free programs in both public schools and select private settings in Montgomery County.  Entrance into an MCPS Prekindergarten/Head Start program is determined by age, income and residency.  Families of children who will be 3 years old or 4 years old by September 1st may apply.  Interested parents must do so through the MCPS ParentVUE app using registration information detailed below.  In addition, families interested in learning more about how to apply for Montgomery County private provider partners may contact them directly.  Our private provider partners operate independently and maintain a collaborative relationship with MCPS to deliver high-quality educational services and experiences.

 

PREKINDERGARTEN & HEAD START ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

On Friday, January 23rd, and Friday, February 6th, in-person registration will not be available at the Rocking Horse Road Center due to a Department Staff Meeting.

Este Viernes, 23 de Enero, y Viernes, 6 de Febrero las registraciones en persona no estaran disponibles en el Centro de Rocking Horse Road debido a reuniones para el personal del Departamento.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Are you new to MCPS?/Eres nuevo en MCPS?

Create a new ParentVUE account

Are you already an MCPS parent/guardian/ Ya eres padre/guardian de MCPS?

Use your ParentVUE account

 

In-Person Registration Support 

Available Monday-Friday, 9am - 4pm 

4910 Macon Road, Rockville, MD 20852

MCPS PREKINDERGARTEN & HEAD START REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

 

PRIVATE PROVIDER PARTNERS

Click here for a full list of Pre-K Private Provider Child Care Partnerships. If you click here you will be leaving the MCPS website and going to a partner information page. 

Haga clic aquí para obtener una lista completa de las Asociaciones de Proveedores Privados de Pre-K con MCPS. Si hace clic aquí, saldrá del sitio web de MCPS e irá a una página de información de socios.

 

PROGRAM LOCATIONS

Common Questions

Are the programs full day or part day?

  • Prekindergarten and Head Start provide a variety of full day and part-day options, which vary according to location. Part-day Head Start classes are 3 hours and 15 minutes long. Part-day Prekindergarten classes are  2 hours and 30 minutes long. Full day programs follow the regular hours of the school.

Where will my child be assigned?

  • Based on space, availability, and income-eligibility children will be assigned to a school location once the registration process is complete.
  • Parents may request MCPS transportation services. These requests may be approved or denied following route analysis. MCPS does not guarantee bus transportation service for all children who enroll in Prekindergarten and Head Start. 

What are the components of the program?

  • Cognitively stimulating curriculum with a strong emphasis on literacy and mathematics
  • Age-appropriate science, social studies, art, music, technology and physical education experiences
  • Attention to the whole child, including his/her social, emotional, and physical/motor development
  • Family involvement including regular communication as well as opportunities and encouragement for parents to be engaged in their children's education
  • Health, dental, nutrition, and family support services provided

Am I income-eligible?

  • Families at up to 300% of the federal poverty guidelines for 2024 are income-eligible for Prekindergarten. For more information about federal poverty guidelines click here.
  • Other eligibility factors include McKinney-Vento (Homeless) Status, Foster Care, SNAP Participation.

Guides and Resources  

This guide provides a program overview and other information for parents/guardians 

    This guide provides useful, community resources/information for families with preschool age children