Preschool Application Process
Preschool applications are open from February 1 - June 30.
Step 1: Families Complete the Online Preschool Application. (Español)
Documents needed to complete the online application:
- Proof of income for the family
- Proof of residency
- Child's birth certificate
- Parent/guardian's photo ID
- Child's immunization record and physical exam
If you need assistance, please contact the Preschool Office to schedule an in-person or phone application at 703-791-8708 or [email protected].
Current preschool parents, please call the Preschool Office to apply for another child.
Documents Accepted for Proof of Income
Acceptable income documents include:
- Copy of last year's income taxes
- W-2 statement
- Recent paystub
- Child support statement
- Public Assistance information: TANF, SNAP, or SSI statement
- Employer letter stating gross income
- Retirement statement
Documents Accepted for Proof of Residency
A total of three proofs of address are required before enrollment: one primary document and two supporting residency documents.
Documents must be current (within two months) and include a parent or guardian's name and full address.
Primary Proof of Residency:
- Lease;
- Rental agreement;
- Mortgage statement; or
- Deed
Two Additional Proofs of Residency:
- Parent's driver's license;
- Car registration;
- Utility bill;
- Property tax bill; or
- Other official bill or statement listing the residence and parent's name
Physical Exam and Immunization Information
Preschool children are required to have a complete physical exam and immunization record before starting school. Families may submit the information during the initial application or after official acceptance.
Physicals should:
- Be documented on the required school physical health form (PDF) (Español)
- Be completed within the last 12 months
- Include TB screening/test, lead test, and hemoglobin test
- Include all age appropriate immunizations (in accordance with the minimum requirements for attending school, child care, or preschool). View immunization requirements (PDF) (Español)
Step 2: Preschool Office Contacts Family to Review Application
Preschool Family Service Workers schedule interviews with each family to discuss eligibility and review the documents submitted through the application. Families should allow two weeks for follow up concerning their child's application.
Applications are not considered complete until all required documents have been submitted.
Step 3: Preschool Applications Placed on the Waiting List, Families Notified If Accepted
Once reviewed with families, applications are placed on a waiting list for the assigned school. Selections begin in April and continue until classes are filled.
- Families receive official notice of acceptance via email from the Family Service Worker.
- Children are accepted according to enrollment criteria to ensure children with the highest need receive priority.
- Children who live within the school boundaries served receive first priority.
- Each classroom has up to 19 slots and waiting lists are maintained to fill slots when drops occur.
- Completing an application does not guarantee your child will be accepted into the Preschool Program.
Additional Acceptance Information
Enrollment Criteria
Children are accepted according to enrollment criteria to ensure eligible children with the highest level of need receive priority.
Children are not accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Enrollment Criteria and eligibility requirements are set by federal and state guidelines, Head Start and Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI).
Waiting List
All children are placed on the waiting list after their application is completed. Beginning in April the waiting lists for each school are reviewed and children are accepted based on set Enrollment Criteria and the eligibility requirements (age, income level, and home address).
There are up to 19 slots in each preschool classroom and waiting lists are maintained to fill vacancies when they occur.
Completing an application does not guarantee your child will be accepted into the Preschool Program.
Over Income
Families must meet income requirements to be eligible for the preschool program. If space remains in classrooms after all eligible children are enrolled, families who are over income may be accepted.
The program is limited to 10% of the total enrollment for those over the income limit.
Out of Area
Not every elementary school has a preschool program. Children who live within the elementary school areas which are served receive first priority.
Children who do not live within an elementary school area served are considered out-of-area for preschool. Out-of-area children, whose parents are willing to provide transportation or who have a day care provider within the school boundary served, may be accepted if space remains after all eligible children are enrolled.
Acceptance for out-of-area children does not begin until July, to ensure eligible in-area students have time to complete applications.
Out-of-area children are placed on wait lists for schools within a five mile radius of their home.
Special Education
The Preschool Program reserves 10% of slots for students with disabilities. The program receives referrals from the Early Childhood Special Education Office. If your child has a current IEP, please contact your Special Education Teacher to discuss if a general education preschool class would be right for your child.
Have concerns about your child's speech or development and want more information about a screening? Or does your child have an IEP in another school district?
If yes, please contact Preschool Child Find Evaluation Center at 703-791-8857.
Step 4: Once Accepted, Families Complete the School Enrollment Process
Once officially accepted into the Preschool Program, families work with their assigned Family Service Worker to submit all required documents for school enrollment. See below for more information on Online Registration and the Orientation process for enrollment in Prince William County Public Schools.
Families are able to submit needed documents through email, direct upload, text message, or in person. Contact the Preschool Office for more information at 703-791-8708 or [email protected].
The enrollment process includes:
PWCS Preschool Online Registration
Once officially accepted, families complete PWCS Online Student Registration. Parents must register for a ParentVUE account to complete the school registration process.
Parents select the "Preschool Registration" Online Packet to begin the Online Registration, making sure to select the correct school year.
- The Introduction Screen will display important information about online registration for your student, including helpful links to Prince William County Public Schools enrollment resources and regulations. Review the information on this page before proceeding with your application, then click Continue.
- Follow the instructions and click the Save and Continue at the bottom of each screen to move forward. As each section is completed, a green checkbox will appear next to the section name.
- View reference information for online registration.
Parents upload the following:
- Copy of child's birth certificate
- All required proofs of residency
- Copy of a parent photo ID
- Immunization records
- Physical exam
For assistance with creating a ParentVUE account, completing the Online Registration, or needed documents, please contact the Preschool Office.
Parent Orientation
Families are asked to review the Preschool Parent Orientation videos and refer to the Parent Handbook (PDF) for more detailed information on Preschool Policies. Once completed, parents inform their Family Service Worker who will email Parent Responsibility and Consent forms to sign.
Medical Information
Before school enrollment, complete physical exams and immunization records must be submitted. If children have medical conditions or food allergies, additional forms will be required.
During the school year the preschool office will work with families to ensure children have dental exams and necessary medical follow up.
Initial Teacher Home Visit
Before children start classes, the teacher will complete a home visit. Visits are scheduled with families the week before school starts. The initial home visit is a great time for families to share information about their child, ask questions, and learn more about the teacher.
Typically families are given bus information during the home visit.