Last verified: October 2026
Who is eligible for NC Pre-K in Union, Cabarrus and Gaston counties?
A child who turns 4 on or before August 31 is eligible for NC Pre-K when the family's gross income is at or below 75% of state median income. Children of certain military families qualify regardless of income.
Up to 20% of seats may go to children above the income line who have a documented risk factor such as a developmental disability, limited English, an educational need or a chronic health condition. Counties keep waiting lists when funding runs short.
Where do families apply for NC Pre-K?
Families apply through the local NC Pre-K contracting agency for their county of residence, which the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education lists by county. In Mecklenburg, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' Bright Beginnings pre-K is run in partnership with Smart Start and NC Pre-K and registers through CMS.
NC Pre-K (North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten): what it is and isn't
| NC Pre-K is | NC Pre-K is not |
|---|---|
| Free for income-eligible 4-year-olds | Universal; there is an income test with limited exceptions |
| Offered in public schools, Head Start and 4- and 5-star private centers | Available at any private preschool |
| The same program statewide, run by county contractors | The same thing as MECK Pre-K, which is county-funded |