Welcome to New Hanover County Schools Preschool Program for the 2025-2026 school year! Your child must be 3 or 4 years old by August 31, 2025 to be age eligible for this program. Please read the instructions carefully as this application is only the start of the enrollment process, once you submit your online application there will be a page to upload all of your required documents. When your application is complete, the Early Childhood Education Department will reach out to you to review your application and schedule your child's educational screening. Please note that you must fill out the entire application and click submit at the bottom in order for your information to be saved.

Parent/Guardian

A primary adult is the child's parent or guardian by blood, marriage, or adoption. Please name the adult who is the legal guardian of the child and who is financially responsible for the child. If you are a foster parent, please put your information below and submit your documents from DSS. Please select "Yes" to opt into text messages in order to receive important school messages and updates on your application.

Address

Please list the address of where your child lives. This address must match your Proof of Residency document.
Click here to find a provider in your area.

Additional Parent/Guardian

If there is a secondary parent living in the same household as your child, please indicate their information below. A secondary parent is defined as a child's parent or guardian related by blood, marriage, adoption, or authorized care-giver. Income of the secondary parent or guardian must be submitted.

Family Information

1) Family means all persons living in the same household who are supported by the parent, legal guardian, or care-giver. 2) An emergency contact is a local family member, friend, or neighbor that we may contact in case of emergency or if we are unable to contact you at the phone number or email provided on your application, please indicate their information in the second section.

Emergency Contacts

Child (Applicant)

1) Please provide information for the child for which you are submitting an application. 2) Additional Information: If your child needs school bus transportation or if you have any concerns about your child such as speech, behavioral, or mental health, please indicate that in the text box 'Is there anything else you want to tell us about your child?'. If your child needs school bus transportation, your child can only attend your districted preschool. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan or receives Private Therapy for Speech, OT, PT, please make sure to upload those documents.

Location Preferences
- Your Address - Available Locations
Click a location on the map to see more info
Click here to find a provider in your area.

Additional Applicant

Do you want to apply now for another child in your family?

Add Another Applicant

Siblings

Are there other children in the family?

Add a Sibling
Thank you for your interest in the Early Childhood Education Program. After you submit your application, we will contact you to set up an intake appointment. Please upload the required documentation using the link below: 1. Certified Birth Certificate (child's), 2. Current Immunization Record (child's), 3. Current Early Childhood Health Assessment (child's), 4. Parent/Guardian Picture ID, 5. Proof of Residency (must be current and have parent/guardian's name), 6. Income Verification for the year 2024 (all income earned in the household), 7. Parent Acknowledgment Form. 8. If applicable, please upload your child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), Private Speech, Physical, Occupational Therapy documentation. If you are a Legal Guardian or have sole custody of your child, please upload your court ordered custody documentation or DSS document. If applicable, any Public Assistance such as SNAP/EBT cards or Letters, WIC Letters, TANF/Work First, Medicaid Letter, or SSI Award Letters. Please click submit to finalize your application.
Required information is missing, see above.