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6.01.2026
Nevada Ready! Pre-K Expands Access for Families Across the State
Great news for Nevada families: Nevada Ready! Pre-K is expanding access, making it easier for more children to participate in high-quality early learning programs statewide.
Nevada Ready! Pre-K offers free or low-cost preschool opportunities for eligible 4-year-olds, helping children build the skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. With updated eligibility guidance, more families may now qualify than ever before.
Who Is Eligible?
Children must be four years old by August 1 of the school year to enroll. Programs continue to prioritize families with the greatest need, but expanded eligibility means more pathways for families to participate.
Priority enrollment is given to children who meet one of the following criteria:
- Families with incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty level
- This includes children who are in foster care and children who qualify as “homeless” under the Mckinney-Vento Act.
- Children with an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Children who are English learners (primary language is not English)
After priority enrollment, programs may enroll additional children who are part of vulnerable or historically underserved populations, expanding access even further.
Vulnerable or Historically Underserved Populations include children who:
- Live in rural or frontier areas or on tribal lands
- Use the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Designation map to determine if your address qualifies.
- Live in foster care or with relatives/kin caregivers (no parent of the child resides in the home)
- Click here for more information from the Nevada Department of Education.
- Are experiencing homelessness“Homeless” is defined by the federal
McKinney-Vento Act and means an individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes children who are staying: temporarily with other people; in emergency or transitional shelters; in motels, campgrounds, cars, parks, or any other public or private place not designed for humans to live in; or in substandard housing (poses a risk to health or safety of occupants).
- Have a parent or guardian who is incarcerated
- Reside in a school zone where the school is rated as a one-star or two-star school
- Use one of the available zoning tools below or contact your local school district to find out what elementary school your child is zoned for:
- You can also search for schools in the Nevada Accountability Portal to determine how your zoned school is rated (select “I want to see District or School Data” and search by school name, zip code or district).
- Are in families with asylum or refugee status
- Must have documentation of status from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service of the Department of Homeland Security.
- Live in a single-parent household without additional support
- Must have documentation showing the parent/guardian is the sole/primary caregiver with no other parent/partner providing support to the child.
These updates are designed to ensure that children facing barriers to early learning opportunities have access to high-quality Pre-K experiences.
Why Nevada Ready! Pre-K Matters
Research shows that children who attend high-quality preschool programs are more prepared for kindergarten, develop stronger social skills, and are more likely to succeed academically.
Nevada Ready! Pre-K programs focus on:
- Early literacy and math skills
- Social-emotional development
- Structured, play-based learning
- Family engagement and support
Families are encouraged to explore available programs and learn how to apply by visiting the Nevada Ready! Pre-K page on the First 5 Nevada website.
There, you’ll find:
- A list of participating programs across Nevada
- Step-by-step guidance on how to enroll
- Additional resources to support your child’s early learning journey
Now is a great time to explore your options and see if your family qualifies. With expanded eligibility, Nevada Ready! Pre-K is opening doors for more children to start school ready to learn and thrive.
