North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten Program

NC Pre-K is a free pre-kindergarten program for eligible 4-year-old children. Applications are accepted all year; children are only age-eligible for 1 year prior to kindergarten. Transportation is not provided. Priority is given to children who aren’t currently enrolled in a high quality child care program. Catawba County has over 400 NC Pre-K slots in 26 different classrooms across the county.

Applications must be turned in to the Catawba County Partnership for Children at 738 4th Street SW in Hickory (dropbox is at our front door) or mailed to P.O. Box 3123, Hickory, NC 28603. You must submit income verification documents and a copy of the child’s birth certificate with your application. Please do not submit applications to any of our classroom locations.

Page 1 of the attached application packet includes additional information, including classroom location options. Call Leslie Ferrell, Grants & Contracts Manager, at 828-695-6506 with additional questions.

2024-2025 Application (English – PDF)

2024-2025 Application (Spanish – PDF)

2024-2025 Application (English – Online Form)

2024-2025 Application (Spanish – Online Form)