RALEIGH (May, 10, 2010) – Wake County SmartStart (WCSS), in collaboration with Wake County Human Services’ Subsidy Office, Wake County Public School System and Telamon Head Start, will accept applications for Wake County’s public pre-kindergarten programs, Head Start and More at Four, on May 19 and May 21. To qualify for both programs, children must be four-years-old on or before August 31, 2010 and families must demonstrate economic and/or educational need. Families should also be prepared to provide transportation to and from the programs.

“By offering parents one pre-kindergarten application to complete for both Head Start and More at Four, we make the pre-kindergarten process easier,” said Elizabeth Santana, Quality Enhancement and More at Four director, WCSS. “At the WCSS application session, our staff will be on hand to answer any questions and to help parents finalize their application to submit.”

Complete pre-kindergarten applications are accepted throughout the year at WCSS; however, upcoming sessions offer parents one-on-one assistance if needed, and the opportunity for staff to answer any questions. Spanish translators are also available to assist. To complete a Wake County pre-kindergarten application, families must bring: a copy of the child’s birth certificate, documentation of Wake County residency (utility bill, lease or mortgage contract), and documentation of earned income (tax forms, check stub).

Pre-kindergarten application sessions will take place at WCSS, 1121 Situs Court, Suite 250, on Wednesday, May 19 from noon until 5 p.m. and on Friday, May 21 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.



This pre-kindergarten initiative is designed to prepare 4-year-olds for school with a curriculum that focuses on the enhancement of each child’s emotional-social, physical and cognitive abilities through developmentally appropriate approaches to learning. For more information about the universal pre-kindergarten application, please visit www.wakesmartstart.org or call 851-9550 ext. 1408.

As a local partnership with the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Wake County SmartStart partners with national, state and local agencies, as well as other nonprofits that serve Wake County children, ages birth to 5, and their families through vital human service programs. Wake County SmartStart works to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of child care settings, identify and connect children to early intervention and other preventive health services and support families in a variety of ways. The organization also promotes, supports, and advocates for the needs of young children living in Wake County. To obtain more information on Wake County SmartStart’s allocation of state funds and its activities with local partner agencies, visit www.wakesmartstart.org.