Buncombe Pre-K
About Us
Buncombe Pre-K is a community effort to make it easier for families to find and apply to publicly funded pre-kindergarten (pre-k) programs. Local partners work together “behind the scenes” so that families have one website to go to, one number to call, and one application to fill out to connect with all the pre-k programs and related services they might be eligible for.
Collaborators
Buncombe Pre-K collaborators include all of the agencies and programs that families might come in contact with as they search for and access publicly-funded pre-k. Currently in Buncombe County, there are two programs (offered across the county) that provide high quality pre-k at no cost to eligible families. These programs are:
- Head Start, a federal program administered by Community Action Opportunities
- NC Pre-K, a state program administered by Buncombe Partnership for Children
Our partners include several other programs that provide services related to pre-k:
- Child Care Subsidy, administered by Buncombe Health & Human Services
- Provides child care “vouchers” for caregivers who work or go to school to help pay for child care
- Mountain Child Care Connections, administered by Southwestern Child Development Commission
- A regional referral service families can call to learn about child care quality ratings and to get a list of child care options that meet their specific needs
- Asheville City Schools Preschool Program
- Offers Head Start and NC Pre-K slots, as well as private pay preschool and limited scholarships
- Asheville City Schools Exceptional Children Program
- Provides assessment and therapeutic services to children ages 3-5 who have certain developmental delays or disabilities. A child's Individual Education Plan (IEP) team can determine appropriate educational placement from a range of possible options.
- Buncombe County Schools Exceptional Children Program
- Provides assessment and therapeutic services to children ages 3-5 who have certain developmental delays or disabilities. A child's Individual Education Plan (IEP) team can determine appropriate educational placement from a range of possible options.
- Early Head Start, administered by Verner Center for Early Learning
- Provides a home-based education program and a center-based program for eligible children from birth to their third birthday, at no cost to families.
