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Baltimore Pre-K Frequently Asked Questions
Baltimore Pre-K Frequently Asked Questions
What is Baltimore Pre-K?
What is Baltimore Pre-K?
Baltimore Pre-K programs are publicly-funded, meaning they are free or low-cost for eligible families. All Baltimore Pre-K programs must meet quality standards and provide learning experiences led by trained, qualified educators.
Programs are available through:
Baltimore City Public Schools
Head Start
Community Providers, which are child care programs who have received state funding to operate public Pre-K programs at their sites
Why is Pre-K important?
Why is Pre-K important?
Pre-K helps children build the academic, social, emotional, and classroom skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Children who attend Pre-K are over twice as likely to be ready for success when they arrive to kindergarten.
Is Pre-K free? What does "free or low-cost" mean?
Is Pre-K free? What does "free or low-cost" mean?
Many Baltimore Pre-K programs are free or low cost depending on a family's eligibility.
Baltimore City Public Schools Pre-K is free for all Baltimore City families.
Head Start is free for eligible families (children from low-income families, children who are homeless or in foster care, children in families who receive TANF, SSI, or SNAP)
Community Provider Pre-K is free for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds whose families meet the income requirements. Some 4-year-olds from families with higher incomes may qualify for community-based Pre-K at a reduced cost based on a sliding scale. You can use MSDE's Pre-K Cost Calculator to see if you qualify for free or reduced Pre-K at a Community Provider: https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/pages/pre-k-calc.aspx
Families should contact the program they are interested in to confirm eligibility and any potential cost.
Is public Pre-K available for 3-year-olds?
Is public Pre-K available for 3-year-olds?
Yes. Head Start and Community Provider Pre-K programs serve eligible 3-year-olds.
Baltimore City Public Schools primarily serves 4-year-olds. Families looking for a program for a 3-year-old should explore Head Start and Community Provider options.
How old does my child need to be?
How old does my child need to be?
Age requirements depend on the type of program.
Baltimore City Public Schools primarily serves children who are 4 years old by September 1.
Community Provider Pre-K programs serve children who are 3 or 4 years old by September 1.
Head Start serves children beginning at age 3.
Families should confirm the age requirement directly with the program they are considering.
What if my child turns 3 after September 1?
What if my child turns 3 after September 1?
A child who turns 3 after September 1 may be able to begin Head Start after their third birthday, depending on the program’s process and whether space is available.
Families should contact the Head Start program directly to ask about enrollment after a child turns 3.
Can my child attend Pre-K at age 3 and continue at age 4?
Can my child attend Pre-K at age 3 and continue at age 4?
Yes. A child who qualifies for a 3-year-old Pre-K program may participate in a 4-year-old program the following year.
The family may need to apply again or complete a new eligibility process. Families should ask their provider what steps are required for the next program year.
What if I don't think my child is ready for Pre-K?
What if I don't think my child is ready for Pre-K?
That is what Pre-K is for!
Pre-K helps children develop the academic, social, emotional, and classroom skills they will need for kindergarten. Children do not need to already know how to read, write, count, or follow a school routine before they begin.
Does my child have to be potty trained?
Does my child have to be potty trained?
No. Potty training is not a requirement to enter public Pre-K.
Is Pre-K just child care or babysitting?
Is Pre-K just child care or babysitting?
No. Publicly funded Pre-K programs provide structured, high-quality early learning experiences.
Programs use approved curricula and are staffed by trained, qualified educators who help children build the skills they need for kindergarten.
Is Community Provider Pre-K the same as “real” Pre-K?
Is Community Provider Pre-K the same as “real” Pre-K?
Yes. Community-based Pre-K programs are licensed child care centers or family child care homes that receive public funding to provide Pre-K.
These programs must go through a state approval process and meet requirements for curriculum, educators, and learning experiences.
What type of Pre-K program is best?
What type of Pre-K program is best?
The best choice depends on your family’s needs.
Families may want to consider:
Location
Program hours
Before- and after-care options
The size and type of setting
Services available for children and families
Whether the program serves 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, or both
Use the Pre-K Locations map on BaltimorePreK.com to explore programs near your home, workplace, or another convenient location.
Does my child have to attend a Pre-K program in our neighborhood or zone?
Does my child have to attend a Pre-K program in our neighborhood or zone?
No, Pre-K seats are not zoned. Families may explore Pre-K programs in different parts of Baltimore City.
A family may choose a program close to home, work, a relative, or another convenient location. Enrollment may still depend on the child’s eligibility and whether the program has an available seat.
Is my child guaranteed a seat at our neighborhood Baltimore City Public School?
Is my child guaranteed a seat at our neighborhood Baltimore City Public School?
No. Placement in a neighborhood Baltimore City Public School is not guaranteed for Pre-K. If the neighborhood school is full, Baltimore City Public Schools enrollment specialists can assist you in finding another school with space.
Is before and after care available?
Is before and after care available?
It depends on the program.
Many Community Provider Pre-K programs operate within child care centers or family child care homes that open earlier and close later than the traditional school day. These additional hours may have a separate cost.
Families should ask each program about its hours and any fees for care outside the publicly funded Pre-K day.
Are there still Pre-K seats available?
Are there still Pre-K seats available?
Yes! There are still Pre-K seats available across Baltimore City, including in Baltimore City Public Schools, Head Start programs, and Community Provider programs.
Availability varies by location. If one program is full, another nearby program may still have space.
Families should contact programs directly to ask about current openings.
How can I tell whether a particular program has an open seat?
How can I tell whether a particular program has an open seat?
BaltimorePreK.com does not currently show a live count of open seats at every program.
For the most current information:
Contact a community-based Pre-K or Head Start program directly.
Contact Baltimore City Public Schools for help identifying schools with openings.
Some programs may have a waiting list, while others may still have immediate openings.
What is the last day to enroll in Pre-K?
What is the last day to enroll in Pre-K?
There is not one citywide deadline for every Baltimore Pre-K program.
During the summer and school year, many programs use rolling enrollment and continue accepting eligible children until their seats are filled.
Families may be able to enroll after the school year begins if a program still has space. Contact the individual school or program for its current enrollment timeline.
Families are encouraged to enroll their child as early as possible to ensure they are able to benefit from the entire school year.
How do I enroll my child?
How do I enroll my child?
There is not currently one application for every Baltimore Pre-K program. Each type of program manages its own enrollment process.
Contact the individual Community Provider to apply there.
Contact the Head Start program to apply for Head Start.
Follow Baltimore City Public Schools’ current enrollment instructions to apply for a City Schools program.
All contact information and enrollment information can be found on this website under each program's page.
What documents do I need to enroll my child?
What documents do I need to enroll my child?
Requirements vary by program, but families are commonly asked to provide:
Identification for the parent or guardian
Proof of the child’s identity and age
Proof of address
Proof of family income
Health and immunization records
Contact the specific program for its complete list of required documents.
What if I am missing a required document?
What if I am missing a required document?
Contact the program before assuming that your child cannot enroll.
Program staff may be able to help you identify an acceptable alternative document or explain how to obtain what is needed. Requirements and available alternatives may differ by program.
A missing document should not stop a family from beginning the enrollment process.
Does my child have to be a U.S. citizen to enroll?
Does my child have to be a U.S. citizen to enroll?
No. Children do not have to be U.S. citizens to enroll in public Pre-K.
Families should contact the program if they have questions or need help identifying acceptable enrollment documents.
Where should I start?
Where should I start?
Start by visiting BaltimorePreK.com and exploring the Pre-K Locations map, and each program's (City Schools, Head Start, Community Provider) page to learn more and determine what you may be eligible for.
Once you find a program that may work for your family, contact the program directly to ask:
Whether seats are still available
Whether your child is eligible
What documents are required
Whether before- or after-care is available
What steps are needed to enroll
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