General Information
Welcome to the Smart Start of Davidson County Online Application system for NC Pre-K Applications!
The information reported in this packet will become part of your child's preschool record. Student record information will not be released to third parties or used for purposes other than routine daily and/or emergency contact needs without the knowledge or permission of parents, or legal guardians, except in accordance with the law.
Only a parent or legal guardian may apply for Smart Start of Davidson County Pre-K Programs. Proof of Guardianship can include a birth certificate, divorce papers, Social Services paperwork, or paperwork signed by a judge awarding custody.
Remember to inform school staff of any special needs your student may have (IEP, special health care needs, etc.)
All requests will be checked for accuracy. Any falsification of information may result in your request not being processed.
*Please also note that this website is optimized for IE 10.0 and higher, Safari, Chrome and Firefox.
Available for 2025-2026
2025-2026 NC Pre-K Application (March 14, 2025 - May 31, 2026)
What is preschool?
Preschool is a fun and exciting learning opportunity for children. Children develop many skills which make the move to kindergarten easier. Preschool classrooms in our community operate at least 6.5 hours a day Monday–Friday from late August to early June. Some of the classrooms are in public school buildings; others are in private childcare centers. The program is free to qualifying families, except for minimal lunch fees when families do not qualify for free/reduced priced meals.
If one or more of the following guidelines is true for you or your child, you may qualify for preschool services:
- Child must turn 4 years old on or before August 31st, 2025 (born on or between September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2021).
- Child of eligible military parents
- Child with an identified disability or developmental/educational need
- Low-income household
- Child with limited English skills
- Child living with a foster family, legal guardian/custodian, or other caregiver who is not the child’s parent or step-parent
- Child’s family is experiencing homelessness
Additional Information
- Some child care locations offer extended care before and after school hours for an additional fee. Arrangements must be made
- Transportation is not provided by any of the public school or private child care NC Pre-K sites.
Before you begin the application process...
- Child’s Birth Certificate (official or hospital copy)
- Guardianship/Custody Papers (only if the child lives with a legal guardian/ custodian or another caregiver who is not the child’s parent or step-parent)
- Kinship Form (if applicable)
- Most Recent Documentation for All Income Family Receives
- Most recent, consecutive pay stubs (If paid…Weekly=4 most recent stubs; Biweekly/Bimonthly= 2 most recent stubs; Monthly = most recent stub)
- Wage Verification Form and/or Self-Employment Income Statement
- Child Support (most recent 4 weeks of payments received or copy of court order for all children in the home)
- Worker’s Compensation
- Unemployment
- Alimony
- Retirement/Disability Benefits
- 2024 Tax Return, W-2, or 1099
- No Income Statement (if applicable)
- Documentation of parent’s military service (Includes current active duty & serious injury/death resulting from military service)
- Chronic Illness Documentation (Child’s health assessment or note from medical provider indicating child’s chronic illness)
- Copy of current educational/developmental screenings or evaluations (Indicating child’s developmental or educational need)
- Disability Documents (Ex: cerebral palsy, orthopedic impairment, I.E.P.)
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Smart Start of Davidson County Phone: (336) 249-6688 |
Business Hours
Monday - Friday
8 AM - 5 PM