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DTECPS → Prekindergarten Information

Prekindergarten & Head Start

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Prekindergarten/Head Start programs and our Private Provider Partnerships  provide a high-quality educational experience for income-eligible children in order to prepare them with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for school success in kindergarten and beyond. MCPS offers part-day and full-day programs at schools across the county. 

Entrance into a Prekindergarten and Head Start programs is determined by age, income and residency. Children who will be 3 years old or 4 years old by September 1 can apply for our programs. Interested parents must apply through ParentVue using the Registration information below or by contacting a Private Provider Partner.  

PREKINDERGARTEN & HEAD START ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Pre-K/Head Start office is open Monday-Friday from 9 am- 4 pm to support registration into our programs. During the following dates, we will be open for extended hours from 8 am-6:30 pm - La oficina de PreK/Head Start esta abierta de Lunes a Viernes desde las 9 am hasta las 4 pm para apoyarle a matricularse en nuestros programas. Para las siguientes fechas, vamos a estar abiertos en horario extendido desde las 8 am hasta las 6:30 pm.

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. (MAP-linked) 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. (MAPA-linked) 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?

  • Once children are registered. Based on space and availability, children will be assigned to a school location once registered.
  • Parents may request MCPS transportation services. 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 line are income-eligible for Prekindergarten.
  • 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