Is Georgia Pre-K really free for Atlanta families?
Yes. Georgia's Pre-K Program is offered at no cost to families and has no income requirement: any Georgia four-year-old who turns four by September 1 is eligible. The state's lottery pays for a 6.5-hour instructional day, five days a week, for 180 days.
Before- and after-care, meals and summer weeks are separate, and providers may charge for them. That's where CAPS child care assistance can help a qualifying working family.
How do you get a Georgia Pre-K seat at a private or church program in Atlanta?
You apply directly to each provider, one application per child, by that provider's deadline. Public school systems usually require that you live in the district, while private child care learning centers don't have county requirements.
Applying doesn't guarantee a seat. A program with more applicants than seats selects among them, and other families go to a waiting list. DECAL's provider search filters by county and ZIP, and its help line is 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS.
Which private schools in the directory serve pre-K?
170 schools in our directory report pre-K enrollment in the federal survey. Federal data doesn't say which of them hold a Georgia Pre-K contract, so ask each school directly.
A child who starts at a private school's Pre-K class can often stay for kindergarten. From kindergarten on, a family zoned to a Promise school could use the $6,500 account there if the school participates.
What paperwork does Georgia Pre-K require?
Bring proof of age and proof of Georgia residency when you apply. Within 90 days of starting, the child needs a vision, hearing, dental and nutrition certificate (DPH Form 3300); immunizations (DPH Form 3231) must be current, or exempted, within 30 days.
| What it is | What it isn't |
|---|---|
| Free for every Georgia four-year-old, with no income test | A guaranteed seat at the program you prefer |
| Offered by public schools and private, church and center providers | Full-day child care; the funded day is 6.5 hours |
| Run by DECAL (Bright from the Start) | Part of the K-12 Promise or GSNS programs |