Enrollment to the Pre-K program is a two-step process that must be completed in order to guarantee placement. The first step is the Pre-K lottery process. Once a Pre-K Lottery Application is received and verified, it is placed in the lottery database. During the lottery process students are chosen at random by location, until all available slots are filled. The lottery is conducted during the winter/spring of each school year for the following school year's enrollment. As additional slots become available throughout the year, the student wait list will be used to fill them.

The second step is the Pre-K registration process. Parents who are selected from the lottery are contacted for enrollment via email and/or official letter. At this time parents have the right to accept or reject the Pre-K school choice offered. If the Pre-K school choice is accepted, an online registration packet must be completed by the cut-off date established in order to finalize enrollment. If the Pre-K school choice is rejected, an online Student Wait List form can be filled out for any Pre-K program offered in the district. For students on the wait list, once a Pre-K program is offered, they are removed from the wait list.

1. The child must be 4 years old on or before September 1, of year applying.
2. The child must be a Chatham County resident.
3. Certified birth certificate.
4. Proof of Address (Acceptable items must be issued within the past 30 days): Lease or rental agreement, mortgage statement, home purchase agreement, utility bill (electric/lights, gas, or water), governmental agency mail (county, state, or federal)

If the family wants to attend a specific school that is not in their school attendance zone, they can select any school. The requirement to select your attendance zone school has been removed. However, priority within a choice selection is provided to families whose choice is the Pre-K program within their attendance zone school. Transportation is not provided to PreK students however, if there are existing routes (attendance zone school) parents are more than welcome to use transportation services. Please contact your PreK school site for more information.

Priority is given to students whose zone school is selected as the first Pre-K choice school. To determine the zone school, click here. Please select ‘Not applicable’ if your first choice is not the zone school and you do not wish to receive zone school priority.

While a Social Security Number is not required to attend Georgia’s Pre-K Program, it is beneficial to both you and your child to provide this information. If a Social Security Number is not given for a child, Bright from the Start requires that you specify a reason below to explain why the information is not being provided.

Note: This form is in lieu of the social security card and is required to participate in the Pre-K program.

While a Social Security Number is not required to attend Georgia’s Pre-K Program, it is beneficial to both you and your child to provide this information. If a Social Security Number is not given for a child, Bright from the Start requires that you specify a reason below to explain why the information is not being provided.

Note: This form is in lieu of the social security card and is required to participate in the Pre-K program.

While a Social Security Number is not required to attend Georgia’s Pre-K Program, it is beneficial to both you and your child to provide this information. If a Social Security Number is not given for a child, Bright from the Start requires that you specify a reason below to explain why the information is not being provided.

Note: This form is in lieu of the social security card and is required to participate in the Pre-K program.

While a Social Security Number is not required to attend Georgia’s Pre-K Program, it is beneficial to both you and your child to provide this information. If a Social Security Number is not given for a child, Bright from the Start requires that you specify a reason below to explain why the information is not being provided.

Note: This form is in lieu of the social security card and is required to participate in the Pre-K program.

The email address entered below will be sent a submission confirmation as well as the lottery results.

The email address entered below will be sent a submission confirmation as well as waitlist results.

In order to be considered for placement in the Pre-K lottery, parents/guardians are required to upload the documents below by the application deadline. If documents do not meet the requirements, students will be ineligible for the lottery.

If in person assistance is needed to upload and complete the application, please contact your zoned school to make an appointment. Families can make an appointment to go to their zoned school (not the pre-k site applying to) and receive in person assistance.

I verify the above information to be correct, and I understand that completion of this form does not guarantee placement in a Pre-K class. If my child is placed in Georgia’s Pre-K, I agree that my child will attend the program for the required number of hours and days as prescribed by the Georgia Department of Early Child and Learning and outlined by the Pre-K center where my child is enrolled. Children who do not attend class for 10 consecutive days without a medical or other reasonable explanation must be removed from the roster(Pre-K Program). I further understand that I cannot register my child without appropriate age and address documentation and that only one application can be submitted per family.

I understand that a child admitted under false information or does not meet application requirements is illegally enrolled and could result in disenrollment upon discovery. I understand that a person who knowingly and willingly makes a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation, or makes or uses any false writing or document, knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement of entry, in any matter shall upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or by imprisonment as allowed by criminal statute O.C.G.A. 16-10-20. I further understand that it is my responsibility as the Parent/Legal Guardian to immediately inform the Pre-K center of any changes to the information provided.