Frequently Asked Questions

NC Pre-K is a state-funded prekindergarten program that gives eligible four-year-olds a free, high-quality classroom experience to get ready for kindergarten. It follows the public-school calendar, and classes are held at participating Harnett County public schools and at licensed four- and five-star private centers. The number of seats each year is limited.

Your child must turn 4 on or before August 31 of the program year, and at least one of the following must be true: your family's gross income is at or below 75% of the State Median Income; or your child has limited English proficiency, an identified disability, a chronic health condition, or a developmental/educational need; or your child is a dependent of an active-duty service member (or one seriously injured or killed on active duty). See the income eligibility page for details.

Applications for the 2026-2027 school year open in early spring. Submit before the end of May to be considered in the first round of placements. We accept applications year-round and keep a waiting list, pulling names as openings occur during the year.

You can apply online through this site and upload your documents securely. You may also email a completed application and documents to [email protected], hand-deliver them to our office, or mail them to us. Incomplete applications can't be processed, so be sure to include everything on the required documents list.

Yes. A completed health assessment (the Children's Medical Report), signed and dated by your child's doctor within the last 12 months, is required and must include hearing, vision, and dental screenings. An up-to-date vaccination record is also required. These can be turned in by the first day of attendance.

Our staff first reviews your application and documents; if anything else is needed, we'll contact you (typically within about five business days). We then determine eligibility and notify you about placement or waiting-list status by mid-July after the first round of placements.

Placement is not first-come, first-served. In keeping with North Carolina's program requirements, children from lower-income families receive first priority. Children may also qualify through other factors such as a developmental delay, chronic illness, limited English proficiency, or a military-connected parent.

You may list your top three preferred sites on the application. We consider your preferences and your home address during placement, but a specific site can't be guaranteed. See the list of sites.

Transportation is not provided, but the program itself is free for children who qualify.

Classes run Monday through Friday on the Harnett County Schools calendar, generally from about 8:00–8:30 a.m. to 2:00–2:30 p.m. Exact arrival and departure times vary by site and are explained at orientation.

NC Pre-K uses a play-based creative curriculum focused on social, emotional, and academic readiness. Lead teachers are state-licensed with degrees in Birth-through-Kindergarten, Early Childhood Education, or a related field, supported by qualified teacher assistants.

A waiting-list letter means your child qualifies but there isn't an opening yet. The list is prioritized to serve the lowest-income children first, and we call families directly as spaces open. In the meantime you can explore other child-care options, ask about child-care subsidy through your county DSS, or join our family activities.