In North Carolina, pre-kindergarten (pre-K) education is not mandatory. However, many parents choose to enroll their children in pre-K programs due to the significant benefits these programs offer in preparing children for future academic and social success.

Pre-K has been a growing focus for the past decade, and today, families see it as an essential part of their child’s education. But what’s even more striking, according to MECK Pre-K in Mecklenburg County, NC, is that parents are planning ahead more than ever. As of March 24, 2025—just nine weeks into registration—MECK Pre-K had already received 1,723 applications. Comparing that to the same point in 2022, when they had just 1,236 applications, that’s a 39% increase in early demand. Back in 2022, it took 15 weeks to exceed 1,700 applications, but in 2025 it just took nine weeks.