The NC Pre-K Program is designed to provide high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness for eligible four-year-old's. The program requirements are built on the premise that to be successful academically in school, children need to be prepared in all five of the developmental domains outlined by the National Education Goals Panel. Each of these domains is critical to children's well-being and for their success in reading and math as they come to school. The five domains, as reflected in Foundations: Early Learning Standards for North Carolina Preschoolers and Strategies for Guiding Their Success are:

• Approaches to learning

• Emotional and social development

• Health and physical development

• Language development and communication

• Cognitive development

The NC Pre-K Program Requirements are designed to ensure that a high-quality pre-kindergarten classroom experience is provided for eligible four-year-old children in each local NC Pre-K Program and that, to the extent possible, uniformity exists across the state. Programs are also required to meet the NC Child Care Rules. NC’s Pre-K program meets a number of nationally accepted benchmarks for measuring quality early learning. These include comprehensive Early Learning Standards; staff who are required to meet education/licensure requirements, professional development; 1:9 staff/child ratio; developmental screens and referral; evidence-based curriculum and formative assessments; monitoring and nutritional requirements. 

For parents seeking to prepare their children for success in pre-kindergarten programs, for transitioning to elementary school kindergarten, or for pre-kindergarten remote learning resources, here are several NC options:

• Kindergarten Readiness Resources for Families

• Pre-K Remote Learning Activity Plans

• NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development: Remote Learning Guide

• Let’s Get Ready: A Family’s Guide to Supporting Kindergarten Readiness

• PBS North Carolina At-Home Learning Resources