Preschool at NNPS

To be eligible for the 2023-2024 NNPS Preschool program:

• The child must live in Newport News, VA.
• The child's birthday must be between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019.
• The child's family must meet Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) or NNPS Preschool requirements for eligibility; see full list of VPI and NNPS Preschool criteria. (Criterio de Elegibilidad)
• The child must have up-to-date immunizations (or have proof of a medical or religious exemption, set forth by Virginia law).

We highly encourage ALL interested families with a 4-year-old child to apply for NNPS Preschool. We may place your child on a temporary waitlist and will continue to fill preschool slots throughout the spring, summer, and 2023-24 school year based on a variety of criteria, in addition to the listed VPI criteria.

The NNPS Preschool application window will open in late February 2023 and can be accessed by visiting the NNPS Online Pre-Registration Portal.

• Income verification – Verification of income (W2, two weeks of pay stubs, child support documentation, 2022 tax documentation, SNAP award) is required from all parents/guardians who have primary custody or contribute to the child's welfare to determine eligibility for NNPS Preschool. Please view NNPS Income Verification details for additional information. (Verificación de Ingresos)
• Certified copy of student's birth certificate
• Proof of legal residency
• Comprehensive physical examination (Preschool–Grade 5)
• Immunization records
• Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Eligibility/Plan (if applicable, current plan)
• Custodial court order (if applicable)
• Foster care plan (if applicable)

While most documents can be delivered to the school upon in-person registration, proof of income must be provided before the application can be reviewed by NNPS.

Additional details can be found on the NNPS Online Pre-Registration Portal page.

Please visit the NNPS Online Pre-Registration Portal to apply (beginning in February).

All applications will be reviewed based on eligibility criteria and program space availability. Parents/Guardians will receive notification within 8-10 weeks after the application and appropriate documentation has been submitted. You will receive one of the following notifications:

• Your child is being invited to participate in the NNPS Preschool program and you will need to visit your child's zoned school to complete the registration process, OR
• Your child has been put on our waitlist and you will be contacted if/when space becomes available at your child's zoned preschool.

Children are assigned to a school based on the home address of the child's parent/guardian. Please use our Bus Stop Query and Zonefinder to find your child's school.

NNPS Preschool Centers

NNPS Preschool is a full-day program. Every preschool class is taught by a certified teacher, supported by a full-day instructional assistant, and does not exceed 20 students. The NNPS Preschool program operates under the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI). Each NNPS Preschool classroom utilizes the Creative Curriculum in alignment with the VDOE Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS). All NNPS Preschool students receive a division-issued iPad for at-home and in-school use as part of our blended learning model.

Hampton Roads Community Action Program (HRCAP) offers Head Start and Early Head Start, programs for children up to age four that provide comprehensive services to children and families including health, education, nutrition, family services, mental health, disabilities, parent involvement, community-family partnerships and transportation for children in specific areas. The Early Head Start program also provides specialized services to at-risk infants and toddlers (6 weeks to 3 years) of teens and women who reside in southeast Newport News. Visit the HRCAP/Head Start website for additional information. Head Start is not affiliated with Newport News Public Schools.

Why has my child been placed on a waitlist?
The NNPS Preschool program has a limited number of preschool slots. Acceptance is based on criteria eligibility, not on a first-come first-served basis. Submitting an application as early as possible will increase the chance that your child is accepted, therefore, we highly encourage ALL interested families with a 4-year-old child to apply. Registration is an ongoing, rolling process and there is still a strong likelihood your child will be accepted, even once placed on the waitlist, the earlier the application is submitted.

Why does my ParentVue account show my child has been “denied”?
Once an application has been fully processed, ParentVue displays the status as “denied.” This is how the system shows that the Preschool Office has completed processing the application. A “denied” status can mean several things. More than likely, it means that your child has either been invited to register, and the student was transferred to their zoned school for the parent to complete the registration step, or the child has been transferred to the waitlist. In some cases, the application may have been denied because a child was ineligible to attend NNPS Preschool due to age or residence. Communication was sent to the email address listed on the preschool application providing more information regarding the status of the application.

Where can I send the income verification if I didn’t submit it through the online application?
Please send income verification documents to [email protected]. Please include your child’s name and birthdate to ensure we can connect your documentation to the correct application.

Can I drop off my income verification at the School Board Office?
NNPS cannot ensure there will always be someone available in the Preschool Office to receive your income documentation, therefore it is recommended you visit one of the preschool centers for support with this. The school office will be able to help you scan or photograph your documentation and send it to the Preschool Office.

• Denbigh Early Childhood Center (uptown): 15638 Warwick Boulevard, (757) 886-7789
• General Stanford Elementary School (on base): 929 Madison Avenue, (757) 888-3200
• Marshall Early Learning Center (downtown): 743 24th Street, (757) 928-6832
• Watkins Early Childhood Center (midtown): 21 Burns Drive, (757) 591-4815

What if my child turns 4 in early October?
Preschool age requirements are set by the Virginia Department of Education. The NNPS Preschool Program has zero flexibility with registering students younger than 4; all children must be 4 by September 30. We do not offer a preschool program for 3-year-olds.

What if my child turns 5 in October or November, and just misses the cutoff for kindergarten?
Upon parent request, any Newport News child who will celebrate his/her fifth birthday between October 1 through November 30 may be eligible to register for Kindergarten pending the outcome of a screening appointment. Parents with children who will turn 5 during the months of October or November can complete this Early Access Interest Form to request an entrance evaluation appointment up until August 8. Please note that the decision regarding the child's eligibility status is based on the Early Access screening, is final, and there is no appeal process. If you have questions about the NNPS Early Access to Kindergarten process, contact Dr. LaQuiche Parrott at [email protected]. If you have questions about the NNPS Preschool Program, contact the office at [email protected].