TIFTON — Applications for the 2012-13 Georgia Public Pre-K Program will be available March 12 through March 23 at the Tift County Pre-K Center and at all Tift County primary schools.  This program provides preschool learning experiences for children who are 4 years of age on or by September 1, 2012.  

The Tift County Pre-K Center, located at 506 W. 12th St., will have openings for 258 students.  Parents will be notified in writing if their children have been chosen by the lottery-style drawing.  Letters of regret will also be sent to parents of children whose names did not get selected.

It is important that applications be returned to the Pre-K Center by March 23.  Anyone applying after the March 23 deadline will be placed on a waiting list.

Parents will need six documents to accompany the application:



— Certified Copy of the Child’s Birth Certificate

(The schools cannot accept any applications without a Birth Certificate)

— Social Security Card

— Immunization Record #3231

— EED (Eye, Ear and Dental) Form

— Address Verifications (2)

A valid residential written lease or rental agreement, and a current residential utility bill (gas, electric, water, telephone, or cable).  These documents must contain the name and address of the parent/guardian/legal custodian (or)

A current residential property tax statement or deed to the home, and a current residential utility bill (gas, electric, water, telephone, or cable).  These documents must contain the name and address of the parent/guardian/legal custodian.

Applications are taken for the primary school zone in which the child lives.  Applications are numbered and drawn to fill the openings for 236 slots in Tifton and 22 slots in Omega.  

The remainder of the applications are placed on a waiting list and parents are notified of private providers who may have openings.  All of the Pre-K providers work together to serve as many Tift County students as possible.

Children who are 4 years of age by or on Sept. 1 and have late birthdays (June, July or August), delayed language or social skills or small physical size which would impact readiness for Pre-K may delay attending Pre-K until the year of the fifth birthday.

Parents are encouraged to consider the child’s date of birth, social/emotional maturity and prior experiences when making the decision to enroll their child in Pre-K at age 4 or 5.      Participation in the state-funded Pre-K program is limited to one year.  Children who attend Pre-K transition to public school kindergarten the following year.

For additional information or questions, call one of the local providers:  Tift County School System, 387-2455; Upon Eagles Wings, 387-8484; High Hopes, 387-0102; Maggie Campbell’s Gingerbread House, 388-9494; Miss Daisy Darlings, 387-7172; and Mother’s Love and Mother’s Love, Too, 382-0675.