Rhode Island Pre-K Lottery for School Year 2026-27 Opens for Families
Published on Monday, April 13, 2026
PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today announced the opening of the annual state-funded RI Pre-Kindergarten (RI Pre-K) program lottery for the 2026-27 school year.
Parents, families or guardians must submit RI Pre-K applications by June 22, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., for their child to be considered for the free seats.
“RI Pre-K sets young Rhode Islanders up for success from day one,” said Governor Dan McKee. “High-quality early learning helps children build the skills and confidence they need to thrive in school and beyond. I encourage eligible families to apply for a free seat.”
The RI Pre-K program offers free, high-quality learning opportunities for children who will be four years old as of September 1, 2026, and live in communities where RI Pre-K programs are offered.
RI Pre-K has programs available to over 2,800 children in 20 communities across Rhode Island, including childcare centers, Head Start agencies, and public schools. Spots for RI Pre-K are limited, and completing a lottery application is required.
“Getting an early start in education sets up our youngest residents to thrive in the classroom and beyond,” said Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “We’re proud to continue to offer high-quality early learning opportunities across the state and invite families to register for the lottery.”
RI Pre-K programs are awarded through a competitive grant application process that evaluates an organization’s demonstrated ability and experience to provide high-quality early childhood programs and a commitment to continued quality improvements using a mixed-delivery model comprised of Head Start programs, local schools and community-based childcare providers.
“This annual opportunity represents a tremendous pathway to a great start in education and the learning experience. Building the best foundation only further paves the way for additional success now and in the years ahead,” said Kimberly Merolla-Brito, director of the Rhode Island Department of Human Services.
RI Pre-K consistently meets all 10 of the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) quality benchmarks, ranking Rhode Island as one of the nation’s top states for preschool quality standards. For more information, visit the NIEER RI Pre-K Yearbook and the full report at NIEER State of Preschool.
RI Pre-K is accepting applications from families with four-year old children living in one of these 20 eligible communities:
- Bristol-Warren
- Central Falls
- Coventry
- Cranston
- East Providence
- Johnston
- Lincoln
- Middletown
- Newport
- North Kingstown
- North Providence
- Pawtucket
- Portsmouth
- Providence
- Smithfield
- Warwick
- West Warwick
- Westerly
- Woonsocket
2026-27 RI State Pre-Kindergarten Programs include:
- East Bay Community Action Program
- The Children’s Workshop
- Central Falls School Department
- Progreso Latino
- NurturEd Early Learning Center
- CHILD, Inc.
- Coventry School Department
- Cranston Public Schools
- Cadence Academy
- CCAP Child Development Center
- Little Learners Academy
- East Providence School Department
- Johnston Public Schools
- Over The Rainbow
- Tri-County Community Action Agency
- Academy for Little Children
- Sandpipers Early Learning Center
- Children’s Friend and Service
- Heritage Park YMCA
- Pawtucket School Department
- Countryside Children’s Center
- Beautiful Beginnings
- Genesis Center
- Imagine Preschool
- The Grace School
- Providence Public Schools
- Smith Hill Early Childhood Learning Center
- Precious Years
- Connecting for Children and Families
- Woonsocket Head Start Child Development Association
- YWCA Rhode Island
For more information on the 2026-27 RI Pre-K programs and the lottery application process, please visit www.RIpreK.com. Families may contact the RIDE Pre-K team at RIPre-K@ride.ri.gov with questions.