- Winchester Public Schools
- How Do I Qualify?
Preschool Programs
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How Do I Qualify?
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Qualifications
Students should be residents of Winchester City (22601 zip code) and turn 3 or 4 by September 30, 2024.
Students can qualify for Preschool under General Eligibility OR Local Eligibility.General Eligibility: Family income at or below 200% of poverty, OR the child has an applicable, identified special need/disability and the family is above the income level, OR family is homeless, OR either parent/guardian is a high school dropout.
Local Eligibility criteria includes the following:
- Family member suffers from abuse, including all forms of trauma and/or adverse childhood experiences, or has mental illness or disability
- Single parent home
- Foster child or involvement with Child Protective Services (CPS)
- Death/Major medical treatment or issues in the family during the child's lifetime
- Student is being raised by someone other than a parent.
- ELL (English is not the primary language spoken at home)
- Parent is deployed (military)
- Parent is incarcerated
- Child has applicable, documented social/emotional, self-regulation skill deficits
- Parental unemployment or significant reduction in employment in the child's lifetime
- Teen parent (17 or younger at time of first child's birth)
- Significant gaps in care due to closures or other interruptions OR child spent an excessive amount of time in child care due to parent(s) being essential workers
- Lives outside of Winchester City, but is employed by the City of Winchester (Must still qualify under at least one other criteria)
- No available, affordable childcare options within 10 miles of the child’s home (available is a site with open slots; affordable is a site that accepts Child Care Subsidy)
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Registration Requirements
TWO (2) Proofs of Residency: Recent utility bill (gas, electric, water/sewer, home phone); Receipt for personal property taxes or real estate taxes; Current homeowner's or renter's insurance policy; Current deed, mortgage, or rental/lease agreement
Income Verification: The following are acceptable forms of income verification:
- TANF/SSI payment information
- W-2 forms or pay stubs which indicate gross year-to-date earnings
- Last year’s tax return (1040)
- An official letter from your employer stating your monthly earnings
- Medicaid or SNAP eligibility verification letter
- and/or Documentation of child support or spousal support.
*For families with more than 8 persons, add $5,380 for each additional person- Families with income 200% or less above the poverty level are eligible for Pre-K.
- Families who are at 130% of poverty level may also be eligible for Head Start.
- Remember: If your family does not meet income requirements, you may still be eligible under local criteria.
All applicants must provide proof of income, even if they qualify under different criteria.
A home visit is required before a student can begin Preschool.
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You will also need
An email address to complete online registration
Parent/Guardian's photo identification
Child’s birth certificate
Current physical (within the last year)
Current immunications record
Medical insurance card for your child (Medicaid, FAMIS, Private)
Custody papers/court papers regarding your child (if this applies to your child)
SNAP information if your family receives benefits
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Contact Information
Inquiries may be directed to:
Angie Cain
Early Childhood Coordinator
540-667-4253Diana Benitez
Early Childhood Family Liaison
540-662-3945