CCSD: More than 6,000 children on pre-K programs waitlist

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Preschool enrollment numbers have continued to grow since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to numbers from the National Institute for Early Education Research.

The Clark County School District (CCSD) is trying to keep up with demand, officials said. It opened enrollment requests for pre-kindergarten programs for the 2024-through-2025 school year in February.

The district said there are a total of 6,281 children on the waitlist. That number includes 2,099 four-year-olds and 4,182 three-year-olds.  CCSD has approximately 14,100 total pre-K seats for the next school.

CCSD officials said out of those seats, 7,700 are designated for general education and 6,400 seats are for children with disabilities.

“At this time, there are approximately 1,700 open general education seats throughout the District,” said CCSD officials in a statement.

When asked how it is decided who enters a waitlist, the District said children must meet specific criteria outlined in grant requirements.

“Children are placed in programs at their zoned school.  Priority is given to four-year-olds,” CCSD officials said. “Then any open seats are offered to three-year-olds at their zoned school.”

After all zoned children are offered seats, children zoned for neighboring schools would be offered seats using a lottery system, officials said.

The District also said children will continue to be placed in pre-K programs until May 9, 2025. Parents and or guardians with children on the waitlist will be notified of their children of their child’s placement when a seat is available.

When asked what would need to occur for more seats to become available, officials said the availability of additional pre-K seats is determined by funding and the availability of licensed educators.

Recently, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto visited Las Vegas to highlight the billion-dollar push for Head Start programs . Programs will receive more funding after lawmakers approved a $275 million increase for fiscal year 2024, bringing the program’s total budget to $12.2 billion.

According to a recent release from the University of Reno , “Child care programs and projects in Nevada that collectively received $231 million in Child Care Development Block Grant funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act – Child Care and Development Fund Discretionary Supplement are now undergoing an evaluation by University of Nevada, Reno Extension to help the state determine future priorities and funding.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.