preschool classroom

Prekindergarten programs serve children between the ages of 3 and 5 years and focus on preparing them for kindergarten. These programs are often open only during the school year and only during part of the day. A variety of organizations may offer prekindergarten programs, including public schools, places of worship, nonprofit organizations, and child care centers.

Prekindergarten programs are known by many different names depending on where you live, such as public preschool, “pre-k,” “junior-kindergarten,” or state-funded preschool or prekindergarten. Many states offer free or low-cost prekindergarten programs for qualifying families.

Are Prekindergarten Programs Licensed?

Depending on the child care rules in your state or territory, some prekindergarten programs must have a child care license to operate while others are permitted to operate because they are regulated and monitored by another government agency, like the public school. In these instances, the state or territory may consider those programs “license exempt.” It is important to review your state or territory child care licensing requirements to see which programs are licensed and find out how programs that are exempt from licensing ensure the health and safety of children in care.

Note: In some cases, licensed child care centers may offer a prekindergarten or junior kindergarten program for older preschool children.

Why Choose a Prekindergarten Program?

Families choose prekindergarten programs for a variety of reasons, including the following:

  • Some state-funded prekindergarten programs are free or low cost for qualifying families.
  • Some families may not need full-day, full-year care for their children.
  • Families may be looking for a program that focuses on getting children ready for kindergarten.

How Do I Find and Choose a PreKindergarten Program?

Group of Preschoolers with Questions

To find prekindergarten programs near you, select your state or territory and review the “Child Development and Early Learning Resources” page.

To learn more about how to find and choose quality child care, visit the “How Do I Find and Choose Quality Child Care?” page.

Since prekindergarten programs operate in a center-based setting, use the "Look, Listen, and Ask: Tips for Choosing a Quality Child Care Center" as a guide to help choose a quality prekindergarten program that is right for your family.