A Lifetime of Learning Starts Here!

Lifetime of Learning Starts Here!

Apply Now
for MECK Pre-K

MECK Pre-K is high quality free pre-K education for four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County.

Click here to apply online

Find A MECK Pre-K Location Near You!

MECK Pre-K is offered through high quality licensed child care centers in Mecklenburg County.

See MECK Pre-K locations!

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If your child will NOT be four
by August 31, 2023:

If your child will NOT be four
by August 31, 2021:

From Our Blog

How MECK Pre-K Supports Families

A high-quality pre-K program treats children like whole people, not just students who come and go from the classroom each day. Learning and growth happen all the time, whether children are at school, at home, on the playground or elsewhere. That’s why many pre-K programs offer support for families and students both inside and outside of the classroom.

A Day in the Life of a MECK Pre-K Teacher

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a MECK Pre-K teacher? We went into classrooms to interview a few of our teachers and got the inside scoop on what they love best about teaching pre-K classes at MECK Pre-K!

Overview of Public Pre-K in Mecklenburg County

MECK Pre-K is one of three public pre-k programs available in Mecklenburg County. In order to ensure that all families in Mecklenburg County have the information they need to choose the best program for their children, we are providing a quick overview of the three programs, what they offer, and how they may be similar and different.

The latest research on the benefits of pre-K

We know that early education is good for children and their development, but what does the latest research tell us about the specific benefits of pre-K?

Get kids off to a good start with social and intellectual learning!

Many of today’s young children experienced have more social isolation during their early years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, what are some simple things that we can do to help encourage heathy development among today’s young children?

How MECK Pre-K Measures your Child’s Growth in pre-K

There are many ways to observe a child’s growth during the pre-K years. So much is happening for them intellectually, socially and emotionally, it’s almost like seeing a new child emerge every day! As they mature, a pre-K student may develop a broader vocabulary, begin to understand basic math, become more observant about the world around them, make friends, learn problem-solving skills, and so much more.

MECK Pre-K: Elevating Mecklenburg’s Economic Mobility

MECK Pre-K was founded in 2018 with the goal of providing high quality free pre-K education open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County. In the ensuing five years, the program expanded to include 105 classrooms at 47 childcare centers.

The First Six Weeks of MECK Pre-K and the Creative Curriculum

Are you curious to know what goes on in a MECK Pre-K classroom? MECK Pre-K uses The Creative Curriculum®, a hands-on, project-based approach to education that incorporates real life experiences into the learning process.

How to Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem & Confidence

Kids need us to know we are their biggest fans. And just telling them isn’t enough to build the self-confidence they require to become the person they’re meant to be.
Understanding how to build your child’s self-esteem sets them up for long-term success.

When Should I Apply for Preschool?

The importance of pre-K (a school-year long program that takes place immediately before a child’s Kindergarten year) to childhood development cannot be overstated. Attending pre-K helps children gain confidence and self-esteem. It helps them get accustomed to school routines. It teaches them how to communicate with teachers and peers. It lights up pathways in the brain that will be absolutely essential to later learning.

Printable MECK Pre-K Handouts and Graphics

Meck Pre-K Classroom

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What is MECK Pre-K?

MECK Pre-K is high quality free pre-K education open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County. Classrooms are located in licensed child development centers and taught by licensed teachers and teacher assistants. MECK Pre-K is administered by Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and funded by Mecklenburg County.

What is MECK Pre-K?

MECK Pre-K is high quality free pre-K education open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County. Classrooms are located in licensed child development centers and taught by licensed teachers and teacher assistants. MECK Pre-K is administered by Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and funded by Mecklenburg County.

Why should children attend pre-kindergarten?

Decades of research have shown that pre-K makes a difference in the lives of children and their families. The foundation created in a high quality pre-K program prepares children for the demands of life — not just in the short-term as they succeed in school, but also in the long-term as they grow up, become employed, and contribute to the strength of the community.

Participation in MECK Pre-K fosters the development of the whole child through the following:

Mathematical and Scientific Thinking: Children build investigative and problem solving skills through daily hands-on exploration of real materials. They are encouraged to formulate problems, ask questions, research solutions, and report findings.

Joy of Learning: Children develop a love of learning and confidence in themselves through activities such as music, art, use of engaging and age-appropriate technology, drama and role playing, and vigorous outdoor play. These all enhance the curriculum and help children become able learners.

Social & Emotional Skills: Children are nurtured and guided to develop self-regulation, effective communication techniques, positive behaviors, and the ability to successfully form and sustain social relationships with adults and other children.

Language and Literacy Abilities: Children will have daily opportunities for language and literacy development and enrichment through book readings, print-rich environments, letter and word recognition activities and games, and word play such as rhyming and identifying letter sounds.

APPLY NOW

Apply on a computer, tablet or smartphone. You can also call or email to schedule an appointment to apply in person. To apply for the upcoming school year, your child should be age four on or before August 31 and live in Mecklenburg County. You can find more about these requirements on our Enrollment Page.

.

What is MECK Pre-K?

MECK Pre-K is high quality free pre-K education open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County. Classrooms are located in licensed child development centers and taught by licensed teachers and teacher assistants. MECK Pre-K is administered by Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and funded by Mecklenburg County.

What is MECK Pre-K?

MECK Pre-K is high quality free pre-K education open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County. Classrooms are located in licensed child development centers and taught by licensed teachers and teacher assistants. MECK Pre-K is administered by Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and funded by Mecklenburg County.

Why should children attend pre-kindergarten?

Decades of research have shown that pre-K makes a difference in the lives of children and their families. The foundation created in a high quality pre-K program prepares children for the demands of life — not just in the short-term as they succeed in school, but also in the long-term as they grow up, become employed, and contribute to the strength of the community.

Participation in MECK Pre-K fosters the development of the whole child through the following:

Mathematical and Scientific Thinking: Children build investigative and problem solving skills through daily hands-on exploration of real materials. They are encouraged to formulate problems, ask questions, research solutions, and report findings.

Joy of Learning: Children develop a love of learning and confidence in themselves through activities such as music, art, use of engaging and age-appropriate technology, drama and role playing, and vigorous outdoor play. These all enhance the curriculum and help children become able learners.

Social & Emotional Skills: Children are nurtured and guided to develop self-regulation, effective communication techniques, positive behaviors, and the ability to successfully form and sustain social relationships with adults and other children.

Language and Literacy Abilities: Children will have daily opportunities for language and literacy development and enrichment through book readings, print-rich environments, letter and word recognition activities and games, and word play such as rhyming and identifying letter sounds.

APPLY NOW!

Apply on a computer, tablet or smartphone. You can also call or email to schedule an appointment to apply in person. To apply for the upcoming school year, your child should be age four on or before August 31 and live in Mecklenburg County. You can find more about these requirements on our Enrollment Page.

MECK Pre-K Contact Information

704-943-9585
info@MeckPreK.org

601 E. 5th Street, Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28202

From Our Blog

How MECK Pre-K Supports Families

A high-quality pre-K program treats children like whole people, not just students who come and go from the classroom each day. Learning and growth happen all the time, whether children are at school, at home, on the playground or elsewhere. That’s why many pre-K programs offer support for families and students both inside and outside of the classroom.

A Day in the Life of a MECK Pre-K Teacher

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a MECK Pre-K teacher? We went into classrooms to interview a few of our teachers and got the inside scoop on what they love best about teaching pre-K classes at MECK Pre-K!

Overview of Public Pre-K in Mecklenburg County

MECK Pre-K is one of three public pre-k programs available in Mecklenburg County. In order to ensure that all families in Mecklenburg County have the information they need to choose the best program for their children, we are providing a quick overview of the three programs, what they offer, and how they may be similar and different.

The latest research on the benefits of pre-K

We know that early education is good for children and their development, but what does the latest research tell us about the specific benefits of pre-K?

Get kids off to a good start with social and intellectual learning!

Many of today’s young children experienced have more social isolation during their early years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, what are some simple things that we can do to help encourage heathy development among today’s young children?

How MECK Pre-K Measures your Child’s Growth in pre-K

There are many ways to observe a child’s growth during the pre-K years. So much is happening for them intellectually, socially and emotionally, it’s almost like seeing a new child emerge every day! As they mature, a pre-K student may develop a broader vocabulary, begin to understand basic math, become more observant about the world around them, make friends, learn problem-solving skills, and so much more.

MECK Pre-K: Elevating Mecklenburg’s Economic Mobility

MECK Pre-K was founded in 2018 with the goal of providing high quality free pre-K education open to all four-year-old children in Mecklenburg County. In the ensuing five years, the program expanded to include 105 classrooms at 47 childcare centers.

The First Six Weeks of MECK Pre-K and the Creative Curriculum

Are you curious to know what goes on in a MECK Pre-K classroom? MECK Pre-K uses The Creative Curriculum®, a hands-on, project-based approach to education that incorporates real life experiences into the learning process.

How to Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem & Confidence

Kids need us to know we are their biggest fans. And just telling them isn’t enough to build the self-confidence they require to become the person they’re meant to be.
Understanding how to build your child’s self-esteem sets them up for long-term success.

When Should I Apply for Preschool?

The importance of pre-K (a school-year long program that takes place immediately before a child’s Kindergarten year) to childhood development cannot be overstated. Attending pre-K helps children gain confidence and self-esteem. It helps them get accustomed to school routines. It teaches them how to communicate with teachers and peers. It lights up pathways in the brain that will be absolutely essential to later learning.

Printable MECK Pre-K Handouts and Graphics

Meck Pre-K Classroom