A child must be age-eligible (four-years-old on September 1) and a Georgia resident. Acceptable proof of age must be on file the day the child begins the Pre-K program.

Examples of acceptable proof of age include: Original/certified birth certificate, passport, green card, pink card, or Federal I-94 card and hospital record of live birth. Immunization forms and Medicaid cards are not acceptable documentation for proof of age.

Examples of proof of residency include: current lease, current vehicle registration form, letter from shelter, letter from employer if employer provides housing, mortgage documents, property tax notice, homeowner's insurance bill, or current Peachcare eligibility documents and any utility bill listing the residence as the service address. A cell phone bill or a driver’s license are not acceptable proof of residency.

No, social security cards/numbers are not required to enroll in Georgia’s Pre-K.

The Social Security Number Information Form may be completed in lieu of providing a copy of your child’s Social Security card.

Georgia’s Pre-K Program operates just like a school classroom. Parents commit to sending their child to school for the complete 6.5 hour instructional day 180 days per year. Children can be disenrolled for being chronically tardy in the morning or being picked up prior to the end of the instructional day.

Georgia’s Pre-K requires centers and schools provide a complete nutritional meal for children. Local schools/sites may set policies regarding bringing food to school. If your child has identified special food requirements, contact your Pre-K provider for individual guidance.

Chronic tardiness is defined as late arrival or early departure more than once per week.

You may search for Pre-K locations by clicking here, this will take you to the Pre-K Provider Search a site listing can also be obtained by by contacting 1-877-ALL GA Kids (1-877-255-4254).

Parents/guardians should bring proof of Georgia residency and age documentation.

Pre-K providers cannot charge a registration fee for the 6.5 hour instructional day.

Each site can set their own registration dates, so check with the providers in your community.

Field trips are recommended but not a required part of Georgia’s Pre-K. Schools/centers are encouraged to offer special educational experiences, which may include, but are not limited to field trips.

To learn how to enroll a child in Georgia's Pre-K program please refer to "Enrolling in Pre-K"available at http://decal.ga.gov/BftS/EnrollingInPreK.aspx .

Most programs maintain a waiting list of students who are interested in attending Pre-K at their program. You will need to contact the program and request that your child's name be placed on their waiting list. The site will contact you directly if a slot becomes available for your child. You may also search for additional Pre-k sites in your area by using the online Provider Search (instructions provided on the search page) or contact 1-877-ALL GA Kids (1-877-255-4254.

Although your child is only beginning his education, now is a good time to start planning for the future. The Path2College 529 Plan, an authority operated under the Georgia Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services (OTFS), gives parents a way to start saving today to prepare for a child's tomorrow. With a Path2College 529 Plan account, any earnings in your account are free from federal income taxes when used for qualified higher education expenses. Then, when it's time for college, the money you withdraw for qualified higher education expenses is also tax-free.

For additional information visit the Path2College website.

A Georgia's Pre-K teacher must attend annual required training. Sometimes, meeting required annual training will require a teacher to attend more than one training event. Please refer all questions related to teacher training to your Pre-K Specialist for further clarification.

The individual serving as the Georgia’s Pre-K Project Director at a Georgia’s Pre-K providing site should attend Pre-K Director Training(s).

No. All Pre-K providers must register online for training at https://gapds.decal.ga.gov/ using their PANDA username and password.

Questions regarding enrolling in the GaPDS or assistance with an account should be directed to https://gapds.decal.ga.gov/ .

For questions regarding Georgia teacher certification, contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission at (404) 232-2500 or (800) 869-7775 or at gapsc.com.

Once training has been completed, teachers can access their training certificates by logging into their GaPDS profile at https://gapds.decal.ga.gov/ .

In the event of inclement weather, training will be cancelled if the public schools are closed in the county where the training is being held.

Once registration is complete you will receive a confirmation that will list training details.

The confirmation page will provide you with the venue address. Go to mapquest.com to get driving directions to the venue from your home or visit the venue’s website for general directions.

No, however many training venues have food and/or beverage items available for purchase.

Many venues charge for parking so be sure to plan ahead.

Yes, the Pre-K Director is responsible for cancelling participants for training in the GaPDS 24 hours before the start time. Providers who register participants for training and do not cancel in the GaPDS will be charged $50 from their center’s next Pre-K payment.

Yes, you must complete your training to avoid a $50.00 deduction from your center’s next Pre-K payment.

All materials and books distributed to participants in training are the property of the center, NOT the participant. In other words, if an employee ceases to work at a particular Pre-K program, all books and materials that the employee received in training belong to the center.

Lottery funds cover the cost of training. Expenses such as mileage, meals, and lodging (if needed) should be covered according to the center/school travel policy. The intent of the Bright from the Start is that a participant should not incur any costs to attend training.

For details regarding Georgia’s Pre-K lead and assistant teacher salary requirements please refer to the Georgia’s Pre-K Provider’s Operating Guidelines. Bright from the Start does not maintain personnel policies for Pre-K teachers. Pre-K programs should provide teachers with a contract or work agreement outlining sick leave, holiday policies, training related costs, etc.

Please refer to the Georgia’s Pre-K Provider’s Operating Guidelines for all credential information.

Teachers must register at https://gapds.decal.ga.gov/ in order to create a GAPDS profile. Once the account has been verified, teachers who meet qualifications to serve in the lead teacher role will see “Qualifies for Pre-K Lead” on their GAPDS profile.

Bright from the Start does not maintain personnel policies for holiday pay and sick leave. Please contact your supervisor for a copy of your contract or work agreement.

Please refer to the Georgia’s Pre-K Provider’s Operating Guidelines available on this website for all credential information.

Teachers must register at https://gapds.decal.ga.gov/ in order to create a GAPDS profile. Once the account has been verified, teachers who meet qualifications to serve in the lead teacher role will see “Qualifies for Pre-K Lead” on their GAPDS profile.

You can post open positions on this website. For more information call 1-888-4GA-PREK.

Providers are required to choose a curriculum from the approved curricula list found on the Pre-K Section of our website at http://decal.ga.gov/Prek/Curriculum.aspx/

A provider’s first point of contact should be their Georgia’s Pre-K Specialist. Specialist contact information is available on this website. There is always a Pre-K Specialist of the Day on duty from 8:00 to 5:00, Monday through Friday. You can reach him/her by calling 404-656-5957 and asking to speak to the Pre-K Specialist of The Day.

For Roster submission issues and concerns, please review the PANDA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. For additional questions about rosters, please contact Georgia's Pre-K Program at panda.rosters@decal.ga.gov.or call 404-656-5957 and ask to speak with a Pre-K Roster Specialist.