Georgia Pre-K Lottery: Everything Parents Need to Know for 2025

Georgia's Pre-K Program is one of the best educational opportunities available to families with 4-year-olds. This state-funded program provides free, high-quality preschool education to prepare children for kindergarten success. At KIDazzle Child Care, we're proud to participate in Georgia's Pre-K Program, and we're here to help you navigate the application process.

What is Georgia's Pre-K Program?

Established in 1993, Georgia's Pre-K Program offers free preschool to all 4-year-old children, regardless of family income. The program is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and administered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).

Georgia Pre-K is consistently ranked among the nation's best state-funded preschool programs, serving over 84,000 children annually at more than 3,700 locations statewide.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Georgia's Pre-K Program, children must be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the program year and be a legal resident of Georgia. That's it! There are no income requirements, and the program is available to all eligible children regardless of family financial status.

Program Features and Benefits

What's Included

Free tuition with no cost to families, quality curriculum with research-based instruction, certified teachers holding at least a bachelor's degree, small class sizes with maximum of 20 children, 6.5 hours of instruction daily Monday through Friday during the school year, and comprehensive learning focusing on literacy, math, science, social studies, and social-emotional development.

What's Not Included

Georgia Pre-K covers instructional time only. Additional costs may include before and after care, transportation, meals and snacks, and summer care. At KIDazzle, we offer affordable wrap-around care, nutritious meals, and summer programs to meet your family's complete childcare needs.

The Application Process

Important Dates for 2025-2026

Application Opens: Early February 2025. Application Deadline: Typically late March/early April 2025. Lottery Drawing: Mid-April 2025. Notification: Late April 2025. Acceptance Deadline: Early May 2025. Program Begins: August/September 2025.

Note: Exact dates are announced by DECAL each year. Check the official Georgia Pre-K website or contact KIDazzle for current information.

How to Apply

The application process is entirely online through the Georgia Gateway portal. Create an account at gateway.ga.gov, complete the Pre-K application with your child's information, select up to five provider choices in order of preference, submit before the deadline, wait for lottery results, and accept your placement within the specified timeframe.

Required Information

Have these documents ready when applying: child's birth certificate or passport, proof of Georgia residency, parent/guardian identification, child's immunization records (Form 3231), and Social Security numbers for child and parents (optional but recommended).

Understanding the Lottery System

When is a Lottery Necessary?

Not all Pre-K providers require a lottery. The lottery system is used only when a provider receives more applications than available slots. Many providers, including some KIDazzle locations, may have immediate openings without a lottery.

How the Lottery Works

If your chosen provider is oversubscribed, all applicants are entered into a random drawing. Priority is given to children currently enrolled at that provider. Selections are made randomly by computer. If not selected for your first choice, you're automatically considered for your second choice, and so on. Waitlists are maintained in lottery order.

Improving Your Chances

Apply early to ensure you don't miss the deadline. Research all five provider options carefully. Consider multiple locations including providers with historically lower demand. Current enrollment advantage: If your child already attends a provider's infant/toddler program, they often receive priority.

After the Lottery

If You're Selected

You'll receive notification via email and through your Georgia Gateway account. Accept your placement within the deadline (usually 7-10 days). Complete enrollment paperwork with your provider. Attend orientation and prepare for the school year.

If You're Not Selected

You'll be placed on a waitlist in lottery order. You may be offered a spot at one of your other provider choices. Spots often open up as families move or change plans. You can apply to providers with immediate openings outside the lottery. Consider private pay preschool options—KIDazzle offers excellent programs for families not selected in the lottery.

Why Choose KIDazzle for Georgia Pre-K

KIDazzle Child Care offers exceptional Georgia Pre-K programs at our Atlanta locations with experienced certified teachers, research-based curriculum that exceeds state standards, small class sizes with individualized attention, modern safe facilities, convenient wrap-around care for working parents, nutritious meals and snacks included, strong kindergarten preparation with proven results, family-friendly communication through our parent app, and seamless transition if your child already attends KIDazzle.

Don't Wait—Apply Today!

Georgia's Pre-K Program is an incredible opportunity to give your 4-year-old a strong educational foundation at no cost to your family. The application window is limited, so don't miss out!

Ready to apply? Visit KIDazzle Child Care to learn more about our Pre-K programs and get help with your application. Schedule a tour of our Summit or Hampton location today!