Early Childhood programs are for children who are not yet eligible for kindergarten. These programs include Pre-Kindergarten for four-year-olds, Head Start for three and four-year-olds, and Early Childhood Special Education for two-five-year-olds.  Quality early learning experiences are an essential element in preparing children to succeed.

Mecklenburg County Public Schools operate certified preschool programs at all four of our elementary schools. In addition, MCPS works with the local Head Start program. Virginia is working to improve quality and expand access to preschool programs for at-risk, low-income and special-needs children.

Mecklenburg County Public Schools Pre-K is a program that provides high-quality preschool programs for four-year-olds not served by Head Start. The purpose of the program is to provide quality early learning experiences to prepare children to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.  Students in the PK program attend the local elementary school within their zone.  This is a full-day program. Transportation is offered by Mecklenburg County Public Schools. 

For more information, contact Ann Dalton, Coordinator of PK-5 Instruction.

Head Start is a federal program that promotes school readiness for children birth to age five. Head Start is a child-centered, family focused,  comprehensive and community-based program providing high quality services to promote academic, physical, social and emotional development for income-eligible children and their families. Students in the Head Start program attend the local Head Start location. Transportation is offered by Tri-County Community Action Agency.

Early Childhood Special Education provides services for preschool-aged children from age two through five with identified disabilities or developmental delays. Educators, along with the child’s family, develop an individualized education program (IEP) with goals and objectives to meet the child’s developmental needs.

For more information, contact Erin Fleming, Director of Student Services.