What is MECK Pre-K?
MECK Pre-K is a County-funded program and therefore free for children who qualify. Classrooms will be located across the County. All MECK Pre-K classes will be taught by a licensed teacher and teacher assistant.
MECK Pre-K aims to ultimately offer universal pre-kindergarten to all of the County’s 4-year-old children. We are enrolling eligible children now.
Why should children attend Pre-K?
Decades of research have shown that Pre-K makes a difference in the school readiness of children. Not just in the short-term to get children ready to succeed in school, but in the long-term as children grow up, become employed, and contribute to the strength of the economy.
Participation in Pre-K fosters the development of the whole child
Each 6½-hour school day will be filled with hands-on, project-based lessons and activities to foster children’s confidence, creativity, critical thinking skills, and to promote positive growth and development for all children. Areas of child development include:
Social & Emotional Skills: Children will exhibit eagerness and curiosity as a learner, participate as a member of the class community, use words and adults to manage conflicts, and follow class rules and routines.
Creative Arts: Children will become aware of art and use materials for exploration and expression, become aware of music and participate in music experiences.
Scientific Thinking: Children will question and investigate through active exploration and seek answers or solutions through active problem solving.
Social Studies: Children will begin to understand the role of self and others as members of families and community, show an awareness of other cultures, and show an interest in caring for the environment.
Technology: Children will explore the computer and its components and use age-appropriate software to support learning.
Is your child eligible for MECK Pre-K?
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). If you have considered or applied for and/or been wait listed for Childcare Subsidy or other Pre-Kindergarten programs, you could be eligible for MECK Pre-K.
Register Today
To apply for the 2019-20 school year, your child must be age 4 on or before August 31, 2019 and live in Mecklenburg County. Families must show birth certificate, proof of residency in Mecklenburg County, and household income. For more information on the MECK Pre-K Program, call
Genesis One at 704-564-8190.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MECK Pre-K?
MECK Pre-K is a Mecklenburg County-funded program that aims to ultimately offer universal pre-kindergarten to all of the County’s 4-year-old children. We are enrolling eligible children now.
Why should I register my child for MECK Pre-K?
Decades of research have shown that pre-kindergarten makes a difference in the school readiness of children. Not just in the short-term to get children ready to succeed in school, but in the long-term as children grow up, become employed, and contribute to the strength of the economy. Your child will learn skills in the following areas: social emotional, creative arts, scientific thinking, social studies, and technology.
Do I have to pay for my child to attend?
MECK Pre-K is offered free of charge and is fully funded by Mecklenburg County.
Is my child eligible for MECK Pre-K?
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).
Final program eligibility determinations will be made through a screening appointment, which can be made by MECK Pre-K. Additionally, if you have considered or applied for and/or been wait listed for childcare subsidy or other Pre-Kindergarten programs, you could be eligible for MECK Pre-K.
To apply for the 2019-20 school year, your child must be age 4 on or before August 31, 2019 and live in Mecklenburg County. Families must show birth certificate, proof of residency in Mecklenburg County, and household income.
Will transportation be provided for my child? If so, how does that process work?
Every effort is made to place children in MECK Pre-K programs as close to their homes as possible. Some sites will provide transportation for a nominal fee. To qualify for transportation, children must live within a certain radius of a MECK Pre-K location. Please check back on our website as this list becomes available.
When does the school year start?
MECK Pre-K will follow the CMS traditional calendar and a similar daily schedule. The 2019-2020 school year runs from August 26, 2019 to June 9, 2020. MECK Pre-K classrooms will open as close to the start of the school year as possible.
Are there after-school care options associated with these programs?
While MECK Pre-K is free of charge, there are fees for any care before or after school hours. Parents with children placed in MECK Pre-K should inquire at their MECK Pre-K center for more information.
When will I be notified that my child has a spot?
MECK Pre-K will begin processing your application as soon as it is complete, and we will notify you as soon as we have confirmed your eligibility and placed your child at a site. You can check the status of your application by calling MECK Pre-K at 704-943-9585.
What will a typical day look like and how long is my child in school?
Schedules for each classroom vary, but many include the following: small groups, outside time, snack time, story time, lunch, quiet time and learning through songs, word play and letters. MECK Pre-K programs are 6.5 hours per day.
What kind of training do the teachers in these classrooms have?
MECK Pre-K teachers must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in early childhood, child development, or related field and have a BK (Birth through Kindergarten) license or be working toward BK licensure.
MECK Pre-K teacher assistants must have or be working towards a minimum of an associate’s degree in early childhood education or child development.
How many children are in each classroom? How many teachers?
There is a maximum of 18 children in each MECK Pre-K classroom, taught by one teacher and one teacher assistant per classroom.
How do I register my child for MECK Pre-K?
To apply for the 2019-20 school year, your child must be age 4 on or before August 31, 2019 and live in Mecklenburg County. Families must show birth certificate, proof of residency in Mecklenburg County, and household income. You can find more registration information on the MECK Pre-K Enrollment Page.