Rhode Island's 2022-23 PreK Lottery Opens

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island's 2022-2023 preschool lottery is now open. From now until July, eligible parents can sign up their four-year-old child for state-funded programs.

"Access to high-quality early learning is a matter of equity and opportunity for the young children in our state," Gov. Dan McKee said. "For over a decade, the RI Pre-K program has provided a free, full-day, full-school year program that leads the nation in quality. The program is a testament to the strength of our early learning mixed-delivery system. I encourage all families with eligible children to enter the lottery for RI Pre-K."

Now in its 14th year, the program currently has 127 preschool classrooms in 18 cities and towns, serving about 2,300 children.

Angélica Infante-Green, the commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Education, said that starting education at four years old can put children on the right path for their entire educational career.

"We strongly encourage every parent with an eligible child to enter the lottery to get a seat in a local high-quality early education program," Infante-Green said. "RIDE is dedicated to helping children get a strong start and offering even more opportunities for early learning in the coming years."

The preschool programs are awarded through a competitive grant process, the governor's office explained. School districts must demonstrate their ability to provide high-quality early childhood education. The programs are funded through federal grants, including the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Age 5 and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act Child Care Development Block Grant Direct Award funds.

To qualify, children must be four years old by Sept. 1 and be a resident of an eligible community, listed below.

• Bristol-Warren
• Central Falls
• Coventry
• Cranston
• East Providence
• Johnston
• Middletown
• Newport
• North Kingstown
• North Providence
• Pawtucket
• Providence
• South Kingstown
• Warwick
• Westerly
• West Warwick
• Woonsocket

More information about the program and how to apply is available on the Department of Education's website. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on July 6.