Information for Families
The Local Education Agency, (referred to in the Scope of Services as “the Grantee”) in accordance with the state- approved grant proposal, will create an early childhood education program to comprehensively address the educational needs, including cognitive, physical, social, and emotional, of eligible four-year-old children. The early childhood education program will provide high quality early childhood education services in accordance with Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 1 and the policies, rules and regulations of the state board of education and the department of education.
The requirements for all Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) classrooms are detailed in the 2021-2022 Scope of Services.
1) The Grantee shall enroll children residing in the geographic area served by the Grantee who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year and who are at risk. For purposes of this program, at risk shall be defined as follows:
a) Children who qualify as economically disadvantaged per the Income Eligibility application and income guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, regardless of the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) status; or
b) Are dependent children, as defined by T.C.A. § 49-6-101(f)(1)(A) whose parent was killed, died as a direct result of injuries received as a result of war, or is or has been officially reported as a prisoner of war or missing in action.
2) Subject to availability of space and resources after exhausting all efforts to enroll at risk four (4) year-olds (as defined by A.1. Student Eligibility), the Grantee may enroll additional students who don’t meet the income eligibility requirements but are residing in the geographic area served by the Grantee in accordance with the following priorities and in accordance with guidelines set by the TDOE:
a) Children who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year with disabilities, students identified as English Learners (EL), in state custody, or who are screened and identified as educationally at-risk, determined pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et sec.;
b) Children who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year who have been in the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) or Even Start program;
c) Children who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year and meet the requirements set forth by the Community Pre-K Advisory Council (C-PAC) by the process established by the C-PAC. These students are considered unserved or underserved and may be enrolled by the process established by the C-PAC;
d) Children who are three (3) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year and who are screened and identified as educationally at-risk, determined pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et sec.;
e) Children who are three (3) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year who have been in the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) or Even Start program; and
f) Children who are three (3) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year who qualify as economically disadvantaged per the Income Eligibility application and income guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, regardless of the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) status.
3) Enrollment in the VPK program shall be voluntary.
Parents and guardians will need to contact the Pre-K Coordinator in their district for application instructions. View the list of Pre-K Coordinators.
Your child’s first year of school is an exciting time for both you and your child. The goal of the pre-K school year is to engage each child in learning through a curriculum that focuses on the needs of young children in all areas of development including language, early literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, physical development, as well as social emotional development, and healthy living. Each day is planned to provide hands on experiences that develop and support a child’s love and joy of learning. The classroom environment creates a safe, nurturing and supportive place for young children to explore these new learning opportunities and to set the foundation for future learning in the years to come. Your child’s teacher will provide you with information on classroom activities throughout the year to keep you informed on what your child is learning about throughout the year.
To accomplish all of this in pre-K, your child’s teacher will need your support to learn about your child and his/her interests. This will help the teacher build on what your child is already comfortable with and to also expand his knowledge of new things. The teacher will also provide suggestions and ideas for ways to help your child continue to grow and learn as home.