Preschool in Buncombe County
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Buncombe County has roughly 13,000 children ages 0-5. Only 36% of 3-year-olds and 46% of 4-year-olds are enrolled in any kind of child care or preschool.
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Early education is now more expensive than college tuition, and public funding supports only a small percentage of families who need it.
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Nearly 50% of local programs reported in May, 2021 that they could serve more children if they could find qualified early educators.
Preschool, or Pre-K, generally means play-based education for 3 to 5-year-olds. Pre-K comes in many different shapes, sizes, funding sources, and program models. Here’s a look at the Buncombe Pre-K landscape:
Private Pay
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Preschool for 3 to 5-year-olds (often offering care for younger children as well)
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Located in small and large centers, community centers, churches, and Family Child Care Homes
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Programs longer than 4 hours must be licensed by the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education
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Half-day programs are not licensed
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Each program sets tuition and fees
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Families pay weekly or monthly
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Search licensed programs here
Head Start
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Preschool classrooms for 3- and 4-year-olds
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Classrooms mostly located in elementary schools
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No cost to families with incomes below the federal poverty limit ($26,500 for a family of four)
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School year and school day (10-month program; 6.5 hours/day)
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Federally funded
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Buncombe’s administrator is Community Action Opportunities
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NOTE: Early Head Start is also available for pregnant women through a child’s 3rd birthday, administered by Verner Center for Early Learning.
NC Pre-K
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Preschool classrooms for 4-year-olds
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Classrooms mostly located in private child care centers
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No cost to families with incomes below 75% of the state median income ($57,542 for a family of four)
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School year and school day (10-month program; 6.5 hours/day)
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State funded (at roughly 60% of actual cost of care)
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Buncombe’s administrator is Buncombe Partnership for Children
Other components of the Buncombe preschool system include:
Developmental Day
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Preschool slots for 3- and 4-year olds with certain diagnosed delays and an Individual Education Plan (IEP)
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Funded spots in private child care centers
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No cost to families
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School year and school day (10-month program; 6.5 hours/day; summer care available at families’ expense)
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Federally funded
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Administered by Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools
Child Care Subsidy Program
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Vouchers to reduce the cost of 4- and 5-star child care programs
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Families choose among 4- and 5-star programs that participate in Child Care Subsidy
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Families must pay 10% of gross monthly income; some programs also charge families the difference between the state voucher reimbursement and their tuition rate.
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For full-day, half-day, summer programs, and extended day care
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Federal and state funding
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Buncombe’s administrator is Buncombe County Health & Human Services.
Mountain Child Care Connections
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A child care information and referral service for families
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Accessed through their website or phone number (877-752-5955)
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Families can ask questions and explain their preferences, and MCCC will provide a list of programs that fit their needs.
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MCCC does not provide any financial supports, but it may help families locate programs with such supports.