Applications to Provide Georgia’s Pre-K Program Now Available
Deadline for Submitting Applications: 5 p.m., March 30
ATLANTA, Ga., (March 7, 2023) – 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 2023-2024 school year. Applications to provide Georgia’s Pre-K Program for the next school year must be received by DECAL by Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 5:00 PM EDT.
Georgia’s Pre-K Program is an educational program for age-eligible children in Georgia 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 child care 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 2023 – 2024 school year, a child must be four years old on or before September 1, 2023. Georgia’s Pre-K Program normally operates on the regular school system calendar for the length of a typical school day. This year, approximately 74,000 four-year-olds are being served in 3,732 Georgia’s Pre-K classes at 1,844 locations.
“Since its beginning 30 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 answers to questions or for more information about applying to offer Georgia’s Pre-K Program, email panda.support@decal.ga.gov.
Contact:
Reg Griffin
DECAL Communications Director
404-656-0239
reg.griffin@decal.ga.gov
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia’s community powered child care rating system.
The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.