Preschool Information

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024-2025 school year!

Welcome to Early Learning Programs in Dinwiddie County

Please read the information below and/or view the Preschool Overview to learn more about preschool in Dinwiddie County.

School readiness begins the moment a child enters the world. What happens in the first five years of life sets a child up for academic success throughout the rest of life. Choosing an early childhood program is one of the most important decisions a family can make. We believe every child should have access to a quality preschool experience prior to entering Kindergarten.

Bright Stars: Dinwiddie County Public Schools

Bright Stars is Dinwiddie County Public Schools (DCPS) Four-Year-Old Preschool program that addresses student’s physical, academic, social, and emotional needs at no cost. Bright Stars operates on full day schedule and follows the DCPS calendar. The school hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students are provided transportation from their home school address at designated bus stops determined by the DCPS Transportation Department. Breakfast and Lunch are available. Each classroom has one certified teacher and is supported by one highly qualified paraprofessional. Class sizes are between 18 and 20 students. Parent/Guardian participation is also expected through student conferences, family events, and other forms of communication like email, telephone, BLOOMZ, etc.

We will have classrooms in all Dinwiddie County Public elementary schools for the 2024-2025 school year.

Eligibility Requirements for Bright Stars (4 year olds ONLY)

Bright Stars is funded through the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) grant. Eligibility for participation is based on criteria set by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
In order for children to participate, they must be four (4) years old by September 30, 2024 and live in Dinwiddie County.
The Bright Stars program is designed for children who have experienced or may be exposed to factors that could negatively impact their school success.
All families are encouraged to apply, but slots will be filled based on student need.
The following criteria is set forth by the VDOE to determine eligibility and includes: 
  • The child lives in poverty as evidenced by family income (at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines).
  • The child is homeless, defined as not living in a regular, fixed residence, or sharing housing due to economic hardship.
  • The child’s parents or guardians have a limited education, such as not completing school.
  • The child’s family income is less than 350% of the federal poverty guidelines in the case of a student with special needs or disabilities.
Additional risk factors can be considered when determining eligibility and include:
  • The child is raised by relatives.
  • The child is a foster child.
  • The child lives with a parent who is chronically ill.
  • The child does not speak English.
  • The child has an identified special need or disability.
  • The child’s parent or guardian is incarcerated.
  • The child lives in a single parent home.
  • The child’s parent or guardian is on military deployment.

Application Timeline for 4 Year Olds ONLY

Applications are being received now through May 1, 2024 for initial collection. The application window will remain open through the 2024-2025 school year. There are a limited number of slots. All parents/guardians are encouraged to complete the application; however, there is no guarantee that the child will be accepted into the program. It is not first come, first serve. Being accepted into the program is determined by eligibility requirements set forth by the state (VDOE) and local criteria.

Parents/guardians will be notified, via email, if the child is accepted, ineligible, or put on a waitlist by June 1, 2024.

Children who are not accepted into the program, but are found eligible, will be placed on a waitlist. The child’s application is kept on file at the DCPS School Board Office. If a slot becomes available during the school year, applications are reviewed and a child is selected. Parents/guardians will be notified at that time. It is the goal to have all 18 to 20 slots at each location filled throughout the school year.

Head Start: The Improvement Association

The Head Start program is a national child development program in Dinwiddie County led by The Improvement Association for  families of children 3 to 5 years of age who live in Dinwiddie County. Children enrolled in the program receive educational services to help prepare them for kindergarten at no cost. The program promotes comprehensive education, health, nutrition, dental, mental health, social services and parental involvement opportunities. Head Start also operates on full day schedule and follows the DCPS calendar. They only offer in-person preschool. The school hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students living in the Southside Elementary school zone are provided transportation from designated bus stops determined by the DCPS Transportation department.  Breakfast and lunch are provided daily free of charge. Each classroom has one  teacher and is supported by one paraprofessional. Class sizes are approximately 15 to 17 students.

Head Start classrooms are in one location:

Behind Southside Elementary (10305 Boydton Plank Road, Dinwiddie, VA 23841)

Eligibility Requirements for Head Start (3 and 4 year olds)

Head Start is a national, federally funded, child development program that serves low-income children.
In order for children to participate, they must be three (3) or four (4) years old by September 30, 2024 and live in Dinwiddie County.
The Head Start program is also designed for children who have experienced or may be exposed to factors that could negatively impact their school success.
All families are encouraged to apply, but slots will be filled based on student need. It is not first come, first serve. Being accepted into the program is determined by eligibility requirements set forth by the federal government. Eligibility for participation is based on similar criteria as the Bright Stars program:
The following criteria is set forth to determine eligibility and includes: 
  • The child lives in poverty as evidenced by family income (at or below 130% of federal poverty guidelines).
  • The child is homeless, defined as not living in a regular, fixed residence, or sharing housing due to economic hardship.
  • The child’s parents or guardians have a limited education, such as not completing school.
  • The child’s family income is less than 350% of the federal poverty guidelines in the case of a student with special needs or disabilities.

Application Process for Bright Stars and Head Start (4 year olds ONLY)

Bright Stars and Head Start work collaboratively to ensure eligible 4 year olds are identified. Parents/guardians must find out if their child is eligible by completing the application and submitting required documents.

  1. Complete the Online Registration Application through Infinite Campus.
  2.  Upload required documents in Infinite Campus when completing the online registration application*. The list of required documents can be found below.
  3. Participate in a screening interview. You will be contacted to schedule a screening interview. This can take place on the telephone, virtually, or in-person.
  4. Wait for Acceptance. The current anticipated notification of acceptance is June 1, 2024 and will be sent via email.

*Applications received without the proper required documents will not be processed.

Application Submission List
In order to apply for admission, please complete and/or submit the following items no later than May 1, 2024.
  1. Complete the Online Registration Application through Infinite Campus.
  2. Birth Certificate: An official certified copy of the child’s birth record must be provided (A photocopy of the child’s birth certificate will not meet this requirement.). Information on obtaining a certified copy of a birth certification is available at the Virginia Department of Health website.
  3. Comprehension Physical Examination & Immunization Record: School Entrance Health Form
  4. Proof of Residency in Dinwiddie County*:
    *Note: If you currently live with someone and do not have a mortgage, lease or deed in your name, you must submit a notarized Proof of Residency Form.  
  5. Custody Court Order (if applicable)
  6. Current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Eligibility Plan (if applicable)
  7. Foster Care Plan (if applicable)
  8. Income Verification* (You will be asked in your screening interview to bring/submit one of the following for both working adults in the home.)
  • 2023 Tax Return
  • 2023 W-2
  • Three (3) most recent pay stubs
  • SSI, TANF, SNAP (if applicable)
  • Child Support Documentation (if applicable)

*Note: If you are not currently employed, you will need to complete the Declaration of No Income or No Documentation of Income form.

Early Childhood Special Education: Dinwiddie County Public Schools

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) in Dinwiddie County Public Schools is a high quality preschool program that serves students ages 2 through 4 by September 30 with disabilities who live in Dinwiddie County. The program is designed to meet the needs of students with disabilities who met eligibility requirements through an evaluation process. If you suspect your child is not typically developing, please visit our Child Find webpage or contact DCPS Exceptional Education Coordinator for Preschool, Alicia Lee, at 804-469-4389.

The ECSE program operates M-Th (no Fridays) and follows the DCPS calendar. Students are provided transportation by the DCPS Transportation Department to and from school. Breakfast and Lunch are available. Each classroom has one certified teacher and is supported by one highly qualified paraprofessional.  Parent/Guardian participation is also encouraged through student conferences, field trips, and through forms of communication like email, telephone, and communication notebooks, etc.

Application Process for 3 Year Olds

Dinwiddie County Public Schools will only accept applications for 4 year olds interested in Bright Stars or Head Start. If you are interested in a 3 year old program or other opportunities for your child under 5, please explore the available opportunities in our county.

Dinwiddie County Public Schools works collaboratively with the Exceptional Education department, Head Start, day care centers, and family providers throughout the county to strategically offer parents choice when searching for a quality preschool program. The Mixed Delivery program overseen by Thrive Birth to 5 (an early childhood systems building organization designated by VDOE as Ready Regions Central) is a grant funded program located in daycare centers throughout Dinwiddie County. Please visit the webpages below if interested in applying.

Additional Early Learning Opportunities in Dinwiddie County: Daycare Centers

Angles at Play (Birth – School Age)

Stepping Stone Academy (2.5 – 12 year olds)

The Greenhouse Day Care Center (2 years – School Age)

The Improvement Association (3 and 4 year olds)

Additional Early Learning Opportunities in Dinwiddie County: Family Providers

Visit the websites below to search for licensed family home providers in Dinwiddie County.

Child Care, VA

Virginia Department of Social Services: Search for Child Day Care

CommonHelp

For More Information:
If you have any questions about the Bright Stars program or the application process, please contact Penny L. Brooks at (804) 469-4190 or email pbrooks@dcpsnet.org
If you have any questions about the Head Start program or the application process, please contact Sameka Mallory at (804) 720-3341 or email smallory@impassoc.org.