Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-K Child Development

      2026-2027 Frequently Asked Application Questions

What are the qualifications to apply?

• The child must be 4 years old by September 1, 2026  
• The family must reside in Charleston County (residency documentation is required)
• The child must be 3 years old by September 1, 2026 *Limited 3K classrooms*

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Pre-K CD Application Questions:

Can my child apply for a school that is not their zone school?
When applying for the Pre-K Child Development program, it is for your zone school.

Where do I go for help completing an application?                    
CCSD will work with applicants to submit an application for Pre-K/Child Development.  

Some important dates to remember:

• January 7, 2026 Applications are available at noon
• January 22, 2026 - Application Assistance, In Person, 5:30-7:00 PM, Cooper River CAS

If you are unable to attend this event, please call the 

CCSD Early Learning Office  (843) 937-7916 or email: ccsdprek@charlestoncountyschools.gov

 Incomplete applications will not be able to be processed until all information is received.

What if I do not have access to a computer, mobile device or the internet, and cannot come to the Choice Fair or one of the Parent Assistance Nights? Is there a paper application available?                                                             
Yes, however the preferred application method is using the online option because the application is immediately processed; however, using either an online or paper application does not provide an advantage for consideration for qualification. Paper applications will be available on January 7, 2026.

To request a paper application call the Early Learning Department at 843-937-7916 or email: ccsdprek@charlestoncountyschools.gov

What documents do I need to apply:                                            

• *Birth certificate (upload)
• Medicaid number (if applicable) *Medicaid card (upload) 
• IEP (if applicable) and (upload)
• Parent/family income information *income documentation (upload) for CERDEP schools
• Income documentation (proof of gross income total money earned or received before deductions for the past twelve months) Ex: 2025 tax return (1040, W2,1099), Pay Stub or Social Security income received for the past 12 months.

When can we apply:

• 2026-2027 Pre-K CD applications are available January 7, 2026 at noon (online and paper)
• Parents are encouraged to apply and complete DIAL 4 screenings by May 2026.

Can my child still participate in the program if we move?          

Yes, If you still live in Charleston County. 

• Contact the Pre-K department at 843-937-7916 or email: ccsdprek@charlestoncountyschools.gov

If there isn’t space in the new attendance area, your child can be placed on the waitlist for the new attendance area.  

What do I do if I need to make a change on my application after I submit it?                                                                                                         
Email cccsdprek@charlestoncountyschools.gov with the changes that need to be made. 

The Pre-K department will make the changes to the application.

My child narrowly misses the birth date cutoffs established by the state. Are there any provisions that would allow him/her to enroll early?       

School entry age is established under South Carolina state law. CCSD does not make exceptions to the legally defined entry deadlines for Pre-K Child Development.

What is a CCSD Neighborhood/Zoned School?                                                     

This is a school where students are assigned to attend because they live in the school’s attendance area or attendance zone. A student’s neighborhood school is also referred to as their “home school.” (Use our GIS Lookup Tool to check your attendance zone.)

How do I know if my online application is completed and submitted through the registration and application portal?

Online applications are not completed, submitted and eligible for acceptance until all the required fields (marked with a red * in your online application) have been completed and you click on the “Submit My Application” button on the final step of the application. 

You will receive an email confirming that your application was submitted as well as a message on the screen. Receipt of this confirmation email is the final step in the CCSD Pre-k/Child Development application process.

When a paper application is submitted, how will it be processed?

All applicants (online and paper applications) will receive a follow-up confirmation communication in one of two ways: an immediate confirmation email after an online application is submitted OR a delayed confirmation email (up to a 7-day delay) after the paper application is submitted. 

These additional days for processing the paper application are needed for the applicant’s information to be manually transferred into the online system by a trained CCSD employee. Entering all applications in the same system will ensure students have equitable opportunities for consideration. Once the application is entered, applicants should receive an automatic email. Please note: The CCSD Pre-K/Child Development application process does not give “first come, first served” priority.

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DIAL-4 Screening Questions:

What are you looking for during the DIAL-4 screening?     
             
DIAL-4 screening is a South Carolina State Department requirement for Pre-K CD.  

DIAL-4 screening appointments take place after a completed Pre-K application has been submitted.

Your child’s motor, concept knowledge, language, self-help, and social-emotional skills are being assessed during the DIAL-4 Screening. 
 

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Pre-K CD Child Waitlist Questions:

My child is on the waitlist now what?                                                  

Children will remain on the waitlist through round 1 qualification, round 2 qualification, and summer screening.

The waitlist is a rolling waitlist. As a child leaves the program the next one on the waitlist is notified.

We stop qualifying children at the end of March of that school year.

The parent/guardian will be notified by the email on the application when the child has qualified.

*Waitlist numbers are released after the second round of qualification (July 2026).

*Students may not remain on any other waiting list once you have accepted a seat for a CCSD Pre-K program.

 

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Other Questions:

Do all students who apply get into the CCSD Pre-K CD Program:     

 *At this time, CCSD is not a universal Pre-K. 

We encourage families to apply for Pre-K early (January -April ) and complete the DIAL-4 screening process as soon as possible to ensure a qualification decision before the 2026-2027 school year begins.

What if I apply after school starts?                                                           

If there is space at the zone school, the child may be able to start within a couple of days. The school will determine the child's start date. 

If there is a waitlist the child will go at the end of the waitlist.

If my child leaves during the school year and then I decide I want to come back what happens?                                                                          
If there is space, the child may be able to start within a couple of days.

If there is a waitlist the child will go at the end of the waitlist.

Why is income documentation needed:                                                  

A.C. Corcoran, Angel Oak, Charleston Progressive Academy, EB Ellington, Goodwin, Hunley Park,  Ladson, Lambs, Dunston, Mary Ford Early Learning Center, Midland Park, Minnie Hughes, Mitchell, Mt. Zion, North Charleston Elementary, North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary, Oakland, Pepperhill, Sanders-Clyde, St. James Santee, and Stono Park.

Family income eligibility must be provided for enrollment in any CERDEP program.  State regulations, mandate reporting of this information to maintain funding for these programs.