About NC Pre-K

Start by reading through our FAQs – this step is VERY important. When you have gathered all your documentation, you will go to the application page and be directed to an external site called Scribbles. Applications are online only. Create an account, fill out your application, and submit your documents.

If you are unable to apply online, email us or call (336) 274-5437 to schedule an appointment to apply in person. The Guilford County Partnership for Children is located at 4900 Koger Boulevard, Suite 151, Greensboro, NC 27407.  Our office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. 

There is no cost for attending the NC Pre-K school day.

At most locations, the school day is from 8:00 am – 2:15 pm from September to June. There are some slight variations by school.

• Children who will be four (4) years old on or before August 31, 2025 (birthday between September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2021)
• You live in Guilford County, to qualify for this program
• Priority is given to children who have not had prior preschool experience, may be economically disadvantaged, or have a developmental delay
• Other eligibility factors include:
  • Limited English proficiency
  • Identified disabilities
  • Chronic health conditions
  • Educational needs
  • Children of active-duty military

Placement is not based on when an application is received. Placement is based on priority of needs and availability of slots.

QUICK TIP: The best time to complete a Guilford County NC Pre-K Application is early spring!

Contact Guilford County School's Exceptional Children Preschool Services.

Applications MUST have the following to be complete:

• Proof of Birth (copy of birth certificate OR medical records OR immunization records)
• Proof of Residency (copy of current utility bill OR rental agreement OR valid driver’s license/ID)
  
  • Documentation must have the same physical address listed on the application.
• Proof of Income (copy of 2024 1040 OR 2024 W-2 OR 4 recent, consecutive paystubs)
  
  • Additional income, if applicable, such as child support, unemployment benefits, workers compensation, and/or SSA/SSI/SSDI.
  • Both parent's income must be submitted before application can be processed.
• If Applicable – Documentation of chronic health condition, parent’s military service, development or educational needs, and/or Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Documentation is required for additional eligibility factors that include homelessness, foster care, receiving refugee services, public housing, TANF/Work First, Medicaid, SSI, Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps), or SNAP. (Documentation is only needed for one additional eligibility factor).
• Detailed examples of documentation are found in the FAQ pdf. Also available in Spanish.

QUICK TIP: Before Applying: Have Everything Ready!

QUICK TIP: Have all your documentation and information ready! This application is best completed in one sitting! You cannot return to an application to make changes or submit a second application without delaying the process significantly.

Esta solicitud DEBE completarse toda en una vez.

Submit only COPIES of documents, we cannot accept originals.

QUICK TIP: You can also submit required documents by emailing us.
También puede enviar los documentos requeridos por correo electrónico.

QUICK TIP: If you submit using a smartphone, you are able to take pictures and attach the required documentation at the end of the application!

¡Consejo! Si envía usando un teléfono, puede tomar fotos y adjuntar la documentación requerida al final de la aplicación.

Edits cannot be made once application is submitted. Changes can be made by calling the office (336)-274-5437 or emailing us. Do not submit a second application to make changes, submitting a second application will delay the process.

o Edits include: change of address, change of site (school choice) selection, updating phone number or email on Scribbles for notifications. Edits do not include adding required documentation that must be in place before the application can begin being processed.
o To prevent any other edits, make sure to review these FAQs before continuing!

Change of password can only occur through Scribbles Technical Assistance found in the blue box on the Scribbles screen.

Use our NC Pre-K Search Tool to see the locations of site. You can access a pdf version HERE (PDF).
Parent Choice allows you to rank your choices of locations. You will have 4 options and rank them 1 to 4 when completing the application.

NC Pre-K classrooms are across Guilford County including Greensboro and High Point.

Classrooms are located at three different settings:

1. Select elementary schools with Guilford County Schools
2. The Head Start program at Generation Ed
3. Private, 4 and 5 star, licensed childcare facilities

Guilford County Partnership for Children helps monitor the classroom settings and teachers to ensure the high quality standards that are in place to make sure each classroom provides engaging and nurturing early learning experiences to promote long-term success in school.

EVERY classroom has a qualified NC Pre-K instructor, curriculum, and strive to meet a variety of educational and developmental needs.

Base your decision on what's best for your child and you. Is a location close to home? Close to work? Has afterschool care? Provides transportation? Answer these questions for yourself when making your selection. 

Guilford County Partnership for Children helps monitor the classroom settings and teachers to ensure the high quality standards that are in place to make sure each classroom provides engaging and nurturing early learning experiences to promote long-term success in school.

We wish there was an easy answer, thousands of applications come in and we take the time to make sure each one gets the attention it needs. Make sure to sign up for updates on the Scribbles dashboard to see that your application is being processed. Once processed, you will be notified. If eligible, expect to receive additional communication from the site your child has been placed in.

QUICK TIP: Stay in the know by signing up for the Guilford County Partnership for Children Newsletter, following on Facebook for extra tips and tricks, and joining in for live questions and answers on the Facebooks Events page.

1 – Application Complete
You will first receive a notification that your application is complete or missing a document. If confirmed complete, you will get an eligibility update next. If incomplete, expect a call or email from the NC Pre-K team at Guilford County Partnership for Children.

2 – Eligibility
You will receive an answer on eligibility after you apply. Sometimes this can take a week, and during high application volume this can take 4-6 weeks.

If you selected any Guilford County Schools locations, you will receive an email from gcs-prek@gcsnc.com to complete the online Ages and Stages in about four to six weeks after your application is completed. This will be automatically added to your application.

If you are not eligible, visit our page on choosing quality childcare to learn about more programs in the area.

3. Placement - Next you will learn about placement mid-June.

Eligibility means you application is complete and your child qualifies to be in line for a slot for NC Pre-K. Placement means the location of where your child will attend school has been determined. If you are eligible, it does not guarantee placement. Placement is determined mid-June and I based on priority of needs. You will receive Scribbles update and an email from the location you were placed.

DETAILED APPLICATION PROCESS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH HERE (PDF).

If you have a GCS first choice, it will be mid-June.   If you have a private or Generation Ed (Head Start) choice, it will be mid to late June.

• If you have been assigned to a GCS site and need to make changes to your application, please contact the Guilford County Schools Pre-K Office at by emailing them or call (336) 370-2362.
• If you have been assigned to a Private child care site or a Generation Ed (Head Start) site and need to make changes to your application, please contact the Guilford County Partnership for Children at (336) 274-5437 or email them here. 

CONGRATS! You are now ready to complete the Guilford County NC Pre-K Application for your child by visiting the NC Pre-K Application Page linked HERE.

Yes, you can also download a PDF version here:

• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions en espanol (PDF)