Pre-K FAQ

What are the age requirements to enroll in Georgia’s Pre-K Program?
A child must be age-eligible (4 years old on or before September 1) and a Georgia resident. Children who are 5 years of age on or before September 1 and have not attended Georgia’s Pre-K Program as a 4 year old, may enroll in the Pre-K Program.

What is considered acceptable documents for proof of age?
A certified birth certificate or other acceptable proof of age is required. Other forms such as passports, official medical documents (hospital certificate of birth) and official documents from other countries will be accepted.

What is acceptable documentation for proof of residency?
Proof of residency is a utility bill (electricity, gas, water, cable/satellite, garbage or house phone), settlement statement, or a rental/lease agreement. If a child’s family is living with someone and does not have proof of residency, parents should contact the registration department at 770-867-4527 and request a multi-residency form.

Where can I get the Immunization form 3231?
Check with your child’s doctor’s office or go to the local Health Department to obtain the Immunization form 3231.

Where can I get the new Georgia Department of Public Health Form 3300?
Check with your child’s doctor or go to the local Health Department to obtain the new Hearing, Vision, Dental, and Nutrition Screening Form 3300.

Does my child have to have a social security card/number to attend Pre-K?
You will be asked to provide a copy of the enrolling student's social security card at the time of registration  or you can fill out and sign a social security form wavier if you wish not to provide it. O.C.G.A.20-2-150.

Can I pick up my child early or bring them in late in the mornings to Pre-K a few days a week?
Georgia’s Pre-K Program operates just like a school classroom. Parents commit to sending their child to school for the complete 6.5 hours a day for 176 days per school year. Children can be dis-enrolled for being chronically tardy in the morning or being chronically picked up prior to the end of the instructional day.

What is “excessive” in regards to the tardy and absenteeism guidelines?
Chronic tardiness is defined as late arrival or early departure more than once per week. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing more than two days per month without medical or other reasonable explanation. Chronic tardiness or absenteeism may also be defined by an established regular attendance pattern(s), e.g., if a child is later every Monday or absent every Tuesday or leaves early every Friday.

Is attendance important in Pre-K?
Yes, just like any other grade level in school, attendance in Pre-K is important in helping the child develop good attendance habits and help them to be successful in school.

How do I know who offers Pre-K in my area?
To see other State Funded Pre-K Providers in Barrow County, review our resources or the Bright from the Start website.

If my child gets in Pre-K, what should I bring to registration?
In addition to completing appropriate school registration forms on-line, families will need to provide their child’s birth certificate, Immunization Form 3231, a Hearing, Vision, Dental, and Nutrition Form 3300, a copy of the enrolling student's social security number or sign a form stating the individual does not wish to provide the social security number, pursuant to O.C.G.A.20-2-150. Policy click here, Proof of residency will be required at registration and must be dated within 30 days of the date of registration.

Proof of residency is a utility bill (electricity, gas, water, cable/satellite, garbage or house phone), settlement statement, or a rental/lease agreement. If a child's family is living with someone and does not have proof of residency, parents should contact the registration department for a multi-residency form that will need to be completed by the property owner. Proof of residency is used to verify the elementary school attendance zone. If the child receives Medicaid, Food Stamps, TANF, or SSI, we request that you bring documentation of this information to registration.

When will Pre-K registration be held for the students who were chosen in the Pre-K Lottery?
Pre-K registration will be held at the Professional Development Center (PDC) along with Kindergarten registration.

When and where is Kindergarten registration and concept screening?
Kindergarten Registration and concept screening will be conducted from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Professional Development Center at 179 W. Athens St. in Winder. Dates for Pre-K & Kindergarten registration for the 2020-2021 school year will be posted as soon as they are available.

If my child does not initially receive a slot in the BCSS Pre-K Program via the lottery, can I register or accept a Pre-K slot for my child with another provider in Barrow county and still be on the BCSS waiting list?
Once the school year begins, if a child who is on the Barrow County School System Pre-K waiting list attends another lottery-funded Pre-K or Head Start Program in Barrow County, the child will be removed from the BCSS Pre-K Program waiting list. We want to work together with the other Pre-K providers to serve as many students as we can in Barrow County. Parents may make a special request based on their individual situation to keep their child on the Pre-K Program waiting list by contacting Karen Bedford at 770-867-4527.