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New Sites Announced for Second Year of Free MECK Pre-K

Newly Expanded Program Ready to Accept Even More Eligible 4-Year-Olds

June 27, 2019

We are so happy to be able to share this special information about MECK Pre-K. This special program in Charlotte ensures that Pre-K is accessible to children who may not otherwise be able to afford it. We need your help spreading the word about this special program and the increased funding that they received this year. Read on for more details! 

 Registration is now open for families to enroll their eligible 4-year-old children in MECK Pre-K. Now in its second year, the free pre-kindergarten program has even more convenient sites and greater capacity to serve children across Mecklenburg County.

“We are thrilled to partner with MECK Pre-K,” says Banu Valladares, executive director of Charlotte Bilingual Preschool, which is opening four new MECK Pre-K classrooms this year. “As we enter into our twentieth year of service, this partnership will increase accessibility for our families and double the impact for our children.”

New sites include Charlotte Bilingual Preschool, The Learning Tree Enrichment Academy and many others. For a full list and map of MECK Pre-K sites, visit https://meckprek.org/meck-pre-k-site-locations-2019-2020/

The number of children served by MECK Pre-K will double this year, thanks to an increase in funding from Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners. The private sector has stepped up with additional donations to provide scholarships and support for pre-k teachers studying at local colleges and universities.

“It was wonderful to see the growth that took place in our children during the first year of MECK Pre-K,” says Trinisha Dean, Director of MECK Pre-K. “Watching them at graduation, I could see how much they had learned, and how ready they are for kindergarten next year.”

Children eligible for MECK Pre-K must be four on or before August 31, 2019. Participation in MECK Pre-K is based on verified family income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level and household size (for a family of four, that’s $77,250 in annual household income). Children also participate in a developmental screening/assessment. For complete details on the enrollment process, visit MeckPreK.org.

MECK Pre-K will be hosting registration and awareness events throughout the summer. Details can be found at MeckPreK.org.

If families have applied for and/or been waitlisted for childcare subsidy, or other pre-kindergarten programs, they could be eligible for MECK Pre-K. For more information on MECK Pre-K, call 704-943-9585 or visit MeckPreK.org.

About MECK Pre-K:

MECK Pre-K is a County-funded program and therefore free for children who qualify. Classrooms are located across the County. All MECK Pre-K classes are taught by licensed teachers and teacher assistants. MECK Pre-K’s ultimate goal is voluntary universal pre-kindergarten for all of the County’s four-year-old children. For more information, visit MeckPreK.org or call 704-943-9585.

Call or visit MECK Pre-K

601 E. 5th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202 704-943-9585 | MECKPreK.org