Durham County’s universal pre-K program
Every Durham 4-year-old deserves a joyful start.
Durham PreK offers free, high-quality pre-K to eligible four-year-olds across the county — building a strong foundation for school, family, and life.
4-year-olds
Open universally to every eligible child
Since 2016
Durham County’s investment in public pre-K
Free
High-quality, affordable early education
20+
Languages supported across the site
Find your way
What are you here to do?
Quick paths for families, educators, and the community.
Apply for Pre-K
See if your 4-year-old is eligible and start an application.
Learn moreWhy Pre-K?
The lifelong benefits of high-quality early education.
Learn moreFind a Site
Pre-K classrooms across Durham County, near you.
Learn moreFor Educators
Apprenticeships, becoming a site, and capacity building.
Learn moreCommunity
Reports, advocacy, racial equity, and news.
Learn moreSupport Us
Help grow publicly supported pre-K in Durham.
Learn moreA strong start
High-quality pre-K changes the trajectory of a child’s life.
Children who attend high-quality pre-K arrive at kindergarten ready to learn — and the benefits last for years. Durham PreK is built to expand access so that every family in the county can give their child that head start.
- Open universally to all eligible 4-year-olds
- Affordable for every Durham family
- Taught by supported, credentialed educators
$16M+
invested by Durham County in public pre-K since 2016 — building a national model for high-quality early education.
2026–2027 applications open now
Ready to enroll your child?
If your child turns 4 by August 31, 2026, they’re eligible. One application covers 30+ pre-K sites across Durham County.