Pre-K

Prekindergarten (Pre-K)

Pre-K is a state-funded program for 3- and 4-year-old children. Its goal is to help children get ready for school by building important skills.

In Pre-K, children learn through fun and age-appropriate activities. These activities help them grow in:

Reading and language
Math
Social skills (like sharing and working with others)
Science and social studies
Art and creativity
Physical health and movement

To enroll, your child must be 3 or 4 years old by September 1 of the school year.

You will need to show proof of your child’s age. This can include:

Birth certificate
Valid passport
Doctor’s record
Hospital birth record
Notarized statement from a parent
Church or baptism record
Birth registration or other legal document

Under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, some families can get full-day Pre-K at no cost. This is for families whose income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.

Each local school system sets its own rules for how Pre-K programs work, based on state guidelines.

To learn more or sign up, contact your local elementary school or a community-based 2026-2027 Pre-K program.

**2026-27 Poverty Guidelines**
Household/ Family Size	300% Family Poverty Level
2	$64,920
3	$81,960
4	$99,000
5	$133,080
6	$150,120
7	$150,120
8	$167,160
9	$184,200
10	$201,240
11	$218,280
12	$235,320

See the full Income Chart

Types of Pre-K Programs

Every child and family is unique. Picking the right pre-K program for your child is a big choice. Think about your schedule, your child’s personality, and the resources offered by each type of Pre-K. Each type has special benefits that might work best for your family. Here are the main types of Pre-K programs and why families may choose them.