Universal Prek Program
About the Publicly Funded PreK Program
Your family may choose the Vermont pre qualified PreK program that best meets your needs with regards to schedule, location, and family preferences.
Prequalified programs have met certain criteria to demonstrate their quality, including employment of a licensed teacher, STARS rating, and high quality curricular and assessment practices. If your pre qualified PreK program does not currently have a partnership with your school district, you may ask that they enter into a partnership for the purposes of receiving the publicly funded tuition.
To be eligible, children must be aged 3, 4, or 5 on or before September 11st and not be enrolled in kindergarten. Payments for preschool will not be made after a child’s 6th birthday.
If your child is enrolled in a public school PreK program, your school district will pay tuition directly to the program for 10 hours week for 35 weeks year based on a school year calendar. Your PreK program will not charge your family for these hours.
To Enroll in Publicly Funded PreK:
First, enroll your child in a pre qualified PreK program. Next, please complete this application form and proof of residency with supporting documents to enroll your child with the school system. A checklist of paperwork is below:
Family Application Form
Proof of Residency Form AND copies of supporting documents with physical address (utility bills, driver’s license, etc.)
Additional enrollment forms as required by your PreK program (return directly to your PreK)
This application form enrolls your child so that your school district will pay for your child to attend a publicly-funded preschool program for 10 hours/week for 35 weeks/year.
If the schools receive your application after the school year has started, the tuition amount will be prorated from the date your application is approved and based on a school year calendar. If you have questions regarding your billing statements, please contact your PreK provider directly.
Families are responsible for child care tuition fees beyond the hours of publicly funded PreK including any school vacation weeks. However, your family may qualify for assistance with paying for child care services. To learn more and for eligibility information regarding child care financial assistance (subsidy) programs, please contact Child Care Resource and Referral at (802) 388-4304.
For additional questions, contact:
Carolyn Brown, Lincoln SD Universal PreK Coordinator (cbrown@lincolnsd.org)
We request that this application be returned to your PreK provider or mailed directly to our school district at 795 E River Road, Lincoln, VT 05443 by July 1, 2023 (forms will still be accepted after that date). Your preschool provider can answer most questions about this program.
Early Childhood Special Education Services (ECSES) supports children ages 3 up to 6 years. ECSES is administered through local school districts to ensure access and participation in early childhood programs for each and every child who is determined eligible for services. ECSES enables young children with disabilities to be full participants in everyday routines and activities across a variety of settings (in their homes with their families, in child care, preschool or school programs, and in the community) throughout the early childhood years.
(Vermont Agency of Education website)
Lincoln School District is responsible for child find for students ages 3-6 suspected of having a disability. Please contact Elizabeth Maher, Student Support Services Director, with questions and concerns at 802-453-2119 or emaher@lincolnsd.org.