Georgia’s Pre-K Program accepting provider applications for 2021-2022 school year

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) has released the application for new and returning providers of Georgia’s Pre-K Program for the 2021-2022 school year. Applications to provide Georgia’s Pre-K Program for the next school year must be received by DECAL by Friday, March 19, 5 p.m. EDT.

Georgia’s Pre-K Program is an educational program funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education. The purpose of the program is to prepare children for success in Kindergarten and later school years. Applicants for the Pre-K grant must be a licensed childcare program, local school system, or a Head Start program. Pre-K programs are offered in a variety of settings: public schools; for profit and nonprofit child care learning centers; military bases, and faith-based organizations.

To attend Georgia’s Pre-K in the 2021-2022 school year, a child must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2021. Georgia’s Pre-K Program normally operates on the regular school system calendar for the length of a typical school day. This year, approximately 81,000 4-year-olds are being served in 3,855 Georgia’s Pre-K classes at 1,864 locations.

“Since its beginning 29 years ago, Georgia’s Pre-K Program has grown and improved to meet the ever-changing needs of Georgia’s children and families,” said DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs. “Recent research supports that, on average, children’s skills in language/literacy, math, self-knowledge, and general knowledge gained during their Pre-K year were sustained through Kindergarten. These findings confirm that Pre-K provides a strong foundation for future learning.”

For more information about applying to offer Georgia’s Pre-K Program, email panda.support@decal.ga.gov.