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    1. What are the age requirements to enroll in Georgia’s Pre-K Program?

     A child must be age-eligible (four years old on or before September 1 of the current school year) and a Georgia resident. Acceptable proof of age and residency must be on file the day the child begins the Pre-K program. 

     
    2. What are considered acceptable documents for proof of age?
     
    Examples of acceptable proof of age include: original birth certificate, passport, record of live birth, official medical documents, legal documents, or official documents from other countries.
     
    3. What is acceptable documentation for proof of residency?
     
    Examples of proof of residency include: current lease, current vehicle registration form, letter from shelter, letter from employer if employer provides housing, mortgage documents, property tax notice, homeowner's insurance bill, or current Peachcare eligibility documents and any utility bill listing the residence as the service address. Cell phone bills and driver’s licenses are not acceptable proof of residency.

    4. Does my child have to have a Social Security card/number to attend?
     
    No, Social Security cards/numbers are not required to enroll in Georgia’s Pre-K, but parents must complete a Student Social Security Number Information Form if they choose not to provide the Social Security card; this form will be available during registration. 
     
    5. Can I pick my child up early a few days each week?
     
    Georgia’s Pre-K Program operates just like a traditional school. Parents commit to sending their children to school for the complete 6.5 hours a day, 180 days per year. Children can be disenrolled for being chronically tardy or for being picked up prior to the end of the instructional day.
     
    6. Can my child bring his/her own lunch?
     
    While Georgia’s Pre-K Program requires centers and schools to provide a complete nutritional meal for children, students are allowed to bring their own lunch. If your child has special food requirements or allergies, contact your Pre-K provider for individual guidance.
     
    7. What is “excessive” in regards to the tardy policy?
     
    Chronic tardiness is defined as late arrival or early departure more than once per week.
     
    8. How do I know who offers Pre-K in my area, and who do I contact to find out if my child's zoned school has openings?
     
    You may search for Pre-K locations by clicking here; this will take you to the Pre-K Provider search on the state's website. A site listing can also be obtained by calling 1-888-4GA-PREK or (404) 656-5957. You can also contact your child's zoned school directly to see if they have openings for the current school year. 
     
    9. What should I bring to register my child?
     
    Parents/guardians should bring documentation noted on the Pre-K registration page. 
     
    10. How much does it cost to register for Pre-K?
     
    Pre-K providers cannot charge a registration fee for the 6.5 hour instructional day. Fees can only be imposed for before and after school care. 
     
    11. Will my child participate in graduation at the end of Pre-K?
     
    Bright from the Start and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning do not recommend “graduation” for four-year-olds as an appropriate activity. More appropriate activities include, but are not limited to, a field day, an open house, family/child picnic, dinner, etc.
      
    12. Why doesn’t my child’s class take field trips?
     
    Schools/centers are encouraged to offer special educational experiences, which may include, but are not limited to field trips, but they are not required by Georgia’s Pre-K. 
     
    13. The Pre-K class I wanted is full. What do I do now? 
     
    All of our Pre-K sites maintain a waiting list of students who are interested in attending. You will need to contact the school you are interested in directly and request that your child's name be placed on the waiting list. The site will contact you directly if a slot becomes available for your child. You may also search for additional Pre-K sites in your area by using the state's online Provider Search  (instructions provided on the search page) or by calling 404-656-5957.
     
    14. How can I start saving for my child's college education?
     
    Although your child is only beginning their education, now is a good time to start planning for the future. The Path2College 529 Plan, an authority operated under the Georgia Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services (OTFS), gives parents a way to start saving today to prepare for a child's tomorrow. With a Path2College 529 Plan account, any earnings in your account are free from federal income taxes when used for qualified higher education expenses. Then, when it's time for college, the money you withdraw for qualified higher education expenses is also tax-free.
     
    For additional information, visit the Path2College website.