The Partnership for Children of Cumberland County administers the NC Pre-K program for Cumberland County. Applications to become an NC Pre-K site now happen every three years. The next cycle will be for the 2027/2028 School Year.

New Three-Year Site Selection Cycle Announced

The Partnership for Children of Cumberland County has implemented significant changes to the NC Pre-K site selection process. As of February 27, 2025, the NC Pre-K Committee has voted to extend the site selection interval from two years to three years.

What This Means for Providers

  • The next NC Pre-K site selection application period will open in 2026 for the 2027-2028 school year
  • New multi-year subcontracts will now run for three years instead of two
  • This change creates greater stability for participating centers and the families they serve

Eligibility Requirements

Interested childcare centers must maintain a 4-star or 5-star quality rating to be eligible for consideration during the 2026 selection process.

Preparing for the 2026 Application Cycle

While the next application period isn’t until 2026, interested providers can start preparing now:

Resources for Providers

We’re committed to supporting high-quality early childhood education in Cumberland County. Visit our NC Pre-K resource page for:

  • DCDEE guidelines and documentation
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Technical assistance information
  • Program quality improvement resources

Contact Information

For questions regarding the NC Pre-K Program or site selection process:

Thank you for your dedication to providing excellent early childhood education for Cumberland County’s children and families. We look forward to working with eligible centers during the 2026 application cycle.