Unpacking the Differences Between NC Pre-K, Three School, Early Head Start, and Child Care
Did you know there are a number of no cost, state-funded programs in North Carolina designed to support your child’s early education? While many may think that a child care program that requires a weekly/monthly fee is the only option, that’s not the case.
In North Carolina, we have three core programs that are no cost to eligible families and available to children and families in Onslow County and beyond: NC Pre-K, Three School, and Early Head Start.
What’s North Carolina Pre-K?
About the Program
NC Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) is a program of the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) and funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. The program is designed to provide high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness for eligible four-year-olds.
Pre-K is a 6.5-hour day program that operates on the public school calendar. All the program standards are built on the mindset that for a child to be successful in school, they must be prepared in five major areas: Health and physical development, social and emotional development, language development and communication, cognition and general knowledge, and approaches to learning.
Each day includes a variety of child-initiated and teacher-directed activities, including active exploration of indoor and outdoor learning environments, opportunities for social interaction, quiet and active periods of play and rest, and access to a wide variety of toys and educational materials.
Eligibility Requirements
Age: Your child must be 4 years old by August 31st to be eligible for Pre-K.
Income: This program has state-determined income limits that determine eligibility for Pre-K. In addition, children of certain military families are eligible regardless of income.
If you do not meet the income requirement, your child may still be eligible if they have one or more of the following risk factors:
- Identified development disability
- Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
- An education need indicated from an approved developmental screening or an existing Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- A chronic health condition as indicated by the diagnosis from a professional health care provider
Military Families: If your child is a dependent of a member of the United States Armed Forces, that was active duty within the past 18 months, injured while serving, or killed while serving your child is eligible for Pre-K regardless of income.
How to Apply
You can apply for NC Pre-K by clicking here.
What’s Three School?
About the Program
Three School is a program offered by One Place and funded by Smart Start. It is designed to provide high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness for eligible three year-olds. If your child will be 3 by August 31st of the program year—and you are working or enrolled in school—you’re encouraged to apply.
Similarly to NC Pre-K, Three School is a 6.5-hour day program that operates on the public school calendar. All the program standards are built on the mindset that for a child to be successful in school, they must be prepared in five major areas: Health and physical development, social and emotional development, language development and communication, cognition and general knowledge, and approaches to learning.
Each day includes a variety of child-initiated and teacher-directed activities, including active exploration of indoor and outdoor learning environments, opportunities for social interaction, quiet and active periods of play and rest, and access to a wide variety of toys and educational materials.
Eligibility Requirements
Age: Your child must be 3 years old by August 31st to be eligible for Pre-K.
Income:. This program has state-determined income limits that determine eligibility for the program. Three School does not provide any income exceptions for additional risk factors or for military families.
How to Apply
You can apply for Three School by clicking here.
What’s Early Head Start?
About the Program
Our Early Head Start program provides comprehensive early childhood education to income-eligible children and their families, from birth to age 3, at no cost to families. EHS combines parent involvement, education, health and social-emotional wellness services (including for women before, during, and after pregnancy), and services to children with disabilities.
Our program emphasizes the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teacher and enriches the lives of children and their families by working with each family’s individual needs.
In partnership with Excel Learning Centers in Jacksonville, Richlands, and Swansboro, our center-based services are available to children from 6 weeks to 3 years old. Children are in a classroom setting Monday through Friday. A primary teacher is assigned to no more than four children and classrooms are limited to eight or nine children. Through planned learning, activities, and play, children are better prepared to enter kindergarten with increased social-emotional skills.
Eligibility
Age: Early Head Start is available to pregnant mothers, infants, and toddlers under the age of 3 years old.
Income: Eligibility is based on income at or below the Federal Poverty Level. However, if your family is in another situation, such as homelessness, children in foster care, receiving SSI or TANF, you are eligible for EHS regardless of income.
In addition, if your child has an identified disability, you may be eligible for EHS.
How to Apply
You can apply for the Early Head Start program by clicking here.
What’s Child Care?
About the Program
Quality early childhood programs are a critical foundation of your child’s life. To provide your child with a strong start, One Place offers Child Care Resource & Referrals (CCR&R), which connects you and your child with appropriate care centers, family child care homes, after-school programs, and half-day preschool programs.
These programs are designed to support the first 2,000 days of your child’s life and build a strong foundation to ensure your child’s overall health, wellness, and long-term success—both in school and in life.
Eligibility
Child care referrals are available to children from six-weeks-old through the age of 12 in Onslow County. If your child is under the age of 2 or has special needs, we can provide an enhanced referral and search for programs that match your needs and confirm vacancies on your behalf.
All of our child care referrals are provided at no cost to you.
How to Apply
To start your search, text “Child” to (910) 333-0608.
After texting our referral number, you’ll be prompted to submit an online form. This includes questions like your reasons for seeking child care and your basic information. Once we receive this form, our Resource and Education Specialists will create a customized list of child care facilities in Onslow County that match your needs and preferences.
You can learn more about CCR&R and apply by clicking here.
Other Questions?
Contact the School Readiness Team for additional information on Three School and NC Pre-K at (910) 968-2722 or email courtney.wandishin@oneplaceonslow.org. For Early Head Start, call (910) 938-2967 or email caron.schienle@oneplaceonslow.org.