RI Pre-K Lottery for School Year 24-25 Opens for Families

Published on Friday, April 26, 2024

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Governor Dan McKee, Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today announced the opening of the annual lottery for the state-funded RI Pre-Kindergarten (RI Pre-K) program for the 2024-2025 school year. Parents, families, or guardians must submit applications by June 24, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., for their child to be considered for the free seats. 

“A well-rounded education starts with early learning, and we want to set up Rhode Island’s youngest learners up for long-term success,” said Governor Dan McKee. “The RI Pre-K program continuously serves as a national model for providing free, full-day, high-quality programs for our state’s youth. I encourage all families eligible to enter the RI Pre-K lottery today.” 

RI Pre-K offers free, high quality learning opportunities for children who will be four years old as of September 1, 2024, and live in communities where RI Pre-K programs are offered. RI Pre-K programs are available to more than 2,800 children at 72 sites in 21 communities across Rhode Island, including at childcare centers, Head Start agencies and public schools. RI Pre-K spots are limited and completing a lottery application is required.  

“High-quality early learning programs such as RI Pre-K help children develop the academic and social-emotional skills they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond,” said Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “Data clearly shows that students of all backgrounds greatly benefit from early learning experiences which is why we have worked to expand access statewide. I invite all Rhode Island families of eligible children to enter this year’s lottery for a free seat.” 

RI Pre-K programs are awarded through a competitive grant application process that evaluates the 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. 

Funding for RI Pre-K seats and quality supports includes several federal grants, including the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER), the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Age 5 (PDG B-5), and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act Child Care Development Block Grant Direct Award funds. 

“Every child deserves an opportunity that sets them up for future academic success. The state’s child care providers, schools, community partners, and DHS stand ready to support the growth and development of our youngest learners in and outside of the classroom,” said Department of Human Services Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito. 

RI Pre-K consistently meets all 10 of the 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 21 eligible communities:  

  • Bristol-Warren 
  • Central Falls 
  • Coventry 
  • Cranston 
  • East Providence 
  • Johnston 
  • Lincoln 
  • Middletown 
  • Newport 
  • North Kingstown 
  • North Providence 
  • Pawtucket 
  • Portsmouth 
  • Providence 
  • Smithfield 
  • South Kingstown 
  • Warwick 
  • West Warwick 
  • Westerly 
  • Woonsocket 

2024 – 2025 RI State Pre-Kindergarten Programs include: 

  • East Bay Community Action Program  
  • The Children’s Workshop 
  • Central Falls School Department 
  • Progreso Latino 
  • Dr. Daycare 
  • CHILD, Inc. 
  • Coventry School Department 
  • Cranston Public Schools 
  • Cadence Academy 
  • CCAP Child Development Center 
  • Little Learners Academy 
  • East Providence School Department 
  • Graniteville School 
  • Over The Rainbow 
  • Tri-County Community Action Agency 
  • Academy for Little Children 
  • Sandpipers Early Learning Center 
  • Sunshine Development Center 
  • Children’s Friend and Service 
  • Heritage Park YMCA 
  • Pawtucket School Department 
  • Countryside Children’s Center 
  • Beautiful Beginnings 
  • Genesis Center 
  • Imagine Preschool 
  • Meeting Street 
  • Montessori Community School of RI 
  • 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 2024-2025 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. 

###