NC PRE-KINDERGARTEN

Buncombe Partnership for Children administers the North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten Program (NC Pre-K), formerly known as the More at Four Program, in Asheville. (En Español) (2021-2022 ЗАЯВКА ДЛЯ РЕБЁНКА)

NC Pre-K is a free, state-funded high quality early care and education program that aims to enhance children’s school readiness. The program is offered for 6 ½ hours a day for 10 months. Programs are located at public schools, private child care programs, and Head Start centers. Limited options for wrap-around care are available.

Transportation is available on a very limited basis through Head Start and Asheville City Schools only. Child applications are accepted year round.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD IS ELIGIBLE?

Will your child be four years old by August 31?
Is your family income at or below 75% of the state median income? (How do I know this? Look below)
Locally, NC Pre-K prioritizes serving children who are currently not enrolled in care.
Additional consideration (even if not income eligible) is given to children who have an identified disability, speak limited or no English, have a chronic health condition, and/or have a developmental or educational need.

WANT TO APPLY?

Apply Online

PDF Application

For the pdf application, make sure you first save as “Your Child’s Name NC Pre-K Application”, fill it out completely, and then email it to Stacey Bailey as an attachment at stacey@buncombepfc.org or you can print it and mail it to Buncombe Partnership for Children, 2229 Riverside Drive, Asheville NC 28804.

One NC Pre-K application needs to be completed per child. Families can submit applications directly to the providers or to the NC Pre-K Program Director. Applications must include proof of the child’s birth date (copy of birth certificate, Medicaid card, or medical record) and proof of family income (tax records, pay stubs, SSI statements, etc.) Applications for the current school year are accepted through December. Applications received in late Spring/Summer for the following school year are processed by late June, and families are typically notified in July about acceptance into the program for the upcoming school year.

Income Eligibility for NC Pre-K

1	$29,922
2	$39,129
3	$48,335
4	$57,542
5	$66,749
6	$75,956
7	$77,682
8	$79,408
9	$81,135
10	$82,861
11	$84,587
12	$86,313

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM?

For more information, please contact:
Stacey Bailey
NC Pre-K Program Director
Phone: (828) 407-2057
Email: stacey@buncombepfc.org

For the 2020-2021 school year, NC Pre-K sites in Buncombe County are:

Asheville City Schools (Children must live in the Asheville City Schools district to attend these particular sites.)
Asheville Primary School
Hall Fletcher Elementary School
Ira B. Jones Elementary School
Issac Dickson Elementary School
Coordinator: Polly Bolding
Phone: 828-350-2926

Childcare Network #177-Fairview
Amber Hensley
Phone: 828-628-9243

Community Action Opportunities/Head Start (Families must meet Head Start income eligibility guidelines and must apply directly to Head Start to attend their sites.)
Coordinator: Leslie Hennessee
Phone: 828-210-0578

Eliada Child Development -West Asheville
Coordinator: Tonia Reed
Phone: 828-259-5374

Irene Wortham Center-Shiloh
Coordinator: Aimee Spooner
Phone: 828-274-7518 ext. 166

The Christine Avery Learning Center-Downtown
Coordinator: CiCi Weston
Phone Number: 828.232.7433

Verner Center for Early Learning-East Asheville
Coordinator: Kinsley Culbertson
Phone: 828-298-0808 ext 101

YWCA-Downtown
Coordinator: Denise Purcell
Phone Number: 828.254.7206 x106

Please contact Stacey Bailey for more information on being an NC Pre-K provider. The site applications process is not opened at this time.

THE NC PRE-K ADVISORY COMMITTEE – The NC Pre-K Program requires every county (or region) that chooses to participate to establish and maintain an Advisory Committee. This committee is represented in part by local school boards and systems, the local Smart Start partnership, licensed child care providers, Head Start, Department of Social Service, parent(s) of preschool-age children, and the child care resource and referral agency. In Buncombe County, the NC Pre-K Advisory Committee meets a minimum of three times a year. Currently all meetings are held at Buncombe Partnership for Children, 2229 Riverside Drive.

NC Pre-K Committee Meeting Schedule for 2020-2021*

(The second Friday of each month from 9am-11am at Buncombe Partnership for Children)

These meetings are open to the public. To receive your invitation, please email Stacey Bailey at stacey@buncombepfc.org.

*This meeting schedule is subject to change.