Preschool

Head Start prepares young children for success in school and beyond by providing comprehensive services that support early learning, health, and family well-being. Families are valued as partners throughout their child's educational journey.

Richmond Public Schools offers two Head Start programs for eligible families who live in the City of Richmond:

• Head Start serves children who are 3 and 4 years old.
• Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers ages 6 weeks to 2 and a half years old.

Families may qualify based on the Federal Income Guidelines. Children whose families receive SNAP, TANF, or SSI benefits automatically qualify, as do children in foster care. Children experiencing homelessness may also be eligible, regardless of family income.

All RPS Preschool students have access to

• Certified teachers
• Social-emotional learning
• Music and art classes
• Special education services
• Research-based curriculum
• Healthy meals
• Transportation
• Health screenings
• Family resources an

Head Start provides a high-quality early childhood education while connecting families with health, nutrition, and family support services to help children thrive at home, in school, and in the community.
 

The Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) provides quality preschool programs for eligible three and four-year-olds unserved by the federal Head Start program.

All RPS Preschool students have access to

• Certified teachers
• Social-emotional learning
• Music and art classes
• Special education services
• Research-based curriculum
• Healthy meals
• Transportation
• Health screenings
• Family resources and support

VPI provides a comprehensive, individualized, developmentally appropriate preschool education program using the Creative Curriculum®, designed to build the academic, social, and emotional skills children need for kindergarten readiness and Al's Pals®, an evidence-based social-emotional learning program that helps children develop self-control, problem-solving, healthy relationships, and resilience.

All VPI programs participate in Virginia's Quality Birth to Five System (VQB5), which measures and supports quality teaching and learning in early childhood classrooms. Families can view VQB5 Quality Profiles that show how well programs support children's development through quality teaching practices and curriculum use. These profiles help families understand the quality of care and education their children receive.

Do I need to re-enroll my child if they are a current RPS preschool student?
Families of current RPS preschool students eligible for the 2026-27 school year have received an “Intent to Return” form for re-enrollment. If you haven’t received this form, please contact us at preschool@rvaschools.net.

Who Can Apply for RPS Preschool?
Families living in the City of Richmond with children who will be 3 or 4 years old by September 30, 2026 can apply.

Do I Need to Pay Anything?
No. RPS Preschool is completely free for eligible families.
Students receive transportation, healthy meals, school supplies, special education services, and family support, all at no cost to families.

Where Will My Child Attend School?
Student placement is based on the family's home address, program eligibility, and space availability. Our goal is to place each student at the preschool location closest to their home whenever possible. 

Does preschool provide transportation?
Yes, transportation is available for students attending their zone preschool. 

Does my child need to be potty trained to attend preschool?
No. Our teachers and staff will work with you to support you and your child with toilet learning.

Can my child with disabilities attend preschool?
Yes. Families of children with special needs are encouraged to apply. If your child has a medical diagnosis or an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) from a district other than Richmond Public Schools, please contact Preschool Reception and Diagnostic Services at (804) 780-8058 to schedule an appointment.  For more information regarding Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) please visit the Early Childhood Special Education website.

How Is Eligibility Determined?
Head Start eligibility is based on family income (up to 130% of the federal poverty guideline), children from homeless families, and families receiving public assistance such as TANF or SSI are also eligible. Eligibility for the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) is based on family income (up to 200% of the federal poverty guideline) and additional criteria, such as housing stability, parent education, employment, developmental needs, health, language, and family circumstances.

Families will have the opportunity to share their family information and unique circumstances during the preschool application process. This information helps RPS determine eligibility and connect families with any additional supports or services they may qualify for.

Placement priority is given based on each family’s individual needs. Please note that the program is not first-come, first-served. Children are placed, and may move from the waitlist according to their family’s needs and unique circumstances.

All family information remains confidential and is used only for eligibility purposes.

Richmond Public Schools offers free, high-quality early childhood education for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds living in the City of Richmond. Families can apply to Head Start (HS) and the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) programs. To apply please follow the next two steps:

1. Complete the online preschool application. 
2. Provide the following required documents:
   Birth Certificate
   Original birth certificate or a certified copy. The child must be 3 or 4-years-old by September 30, of the upcoming school year.
   Proofs of Residence
   The child must live in the City of Richmond. Two of the following documents must be presented prior to admission of the student:

• U.S. or Virginia income tax return from previous year
• U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting from previous year
• W-2 form or its equivalent from previous year
• Deed or lease agreement to the residence in the name of the child’s parent or legal guardian
• Mortgage bill for the residence in the name of the child’s parent or legal guardian
• Voter registration card
• Receipt for personal property taxes paid within the last year
• Most recent payroll check or payroll check stub issued by an employer
• A utility bill will be accepted, and will be counted as one of the two proofs of residence, only if the utility bill is presented in conjunction with a lease or mortgage bill that shows the same address as the utility bill and is in the same name as the person enrolling the student (pre-marriage names will be accepted if a picture I.D. is presented)
• A driver’s license or Virginia state issued identification card will be accepted, and will be counted as one of the two proofs of residence, only if the driver’s license or Virginia state issued I.D. is presented in conjunction with a lease or mortgage bill that shows the same address as the driver’s license or Virginia state issued I.D and is in the same name as the person enrolling the student (pre-marriage names will be accepted since a picture I.D. is being presented.) 

Families in transition, including students experiencing housing instability, houselessness and living with kinship caregivers/non-guardian family members, can call (804) 780-6288 or email cfit@rvaschools.net for additional support.

Proof of Income

One of the following documents must be presented for adults living in the household that are financially responsible for the child:
 

• U.S. or Virginia income tax return from previous year
• U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting from previous year
• W-2 form or its equivalent from previous year
• Letter from employer on company letterhead indicating parent/guardian name and weekly income
• Recent pay stub
• Unemployment verification letter
   

The following documents are valid only for Head Start applications and cannot be used when applying to the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI):
 

• Current Notice of Action from Department of Social Services (please include front and back pages) 
• Current TANF verification
• Current SSI verification
• Child support court documents
• Current SNAP verification
• RRHA rent calculation summary (RRHA residents can provide their calculation summary as both proof of residence and proof of income)

Up-to-Date Immunization and Physical Exam Records 

• Up-to-date immunization records 
• School entrance physical exam (within the 12 months before the first day of school)
• Up-to-date dental exam (this will only be required for students accepted and enrolled in the Head Start program. Parents will be notified if required for their child).

Individualized Education Program (IEP), if Applicable:
When a child is found eligible for special education services, an individualized education program (IEP) is developed to support their learning and academic needs. Services, placement and goals/objectives for learning are addressed in the IEP. 

For additional information, please contact the office of Preschool Reception and Diagnostic Services at (804) 780-8058.

Families of children with special needs are encouraged to apply to preschool.

Court-ordered Custody Paperwork, if Applicable

Court-ordered custody paperwork is required to enroll a child if the enrolling adult is not the parent listed on the birth certificate, to prove legal guardianship or custody and verify the adult’s authority to make educational decisions, or if the child lives with someone other than their parent/guardian due to a court order.

Blackwell Preschool

238 E. 14th St. Richmond, VA 23224

(804) 780-5064

For Interpretation: (804) 729-0332

Hours 7:45am - 2:15pm 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Preschool

900 Mosby St. Richmond, VA 23223

(804) 648-5959

For Interpretation: (804) 409-8034

Hours 7:45am - 2:15pm

Mary Scott Preschool

4011 Moss Side Ave. Richmond, VA 23222

(804) 780-8463

For Interpretation: (804) 944-8325

Hours 7:45am - 2:15pm

Maymont Preschool

1211 S. Allen Ave. Richmond, VA 23220

(804) 780-6263

For Interpretation: (804) 409-2603

Hours 7:45am - 2:15pm

Summer Hill Preschool

2717 Alexander Ave. Richmond, VA 23234

(804) 780-5041

For Interpretation: (804) 409-3215

Hours 7:45am - 2:15pm

J. B. Fisher Elementary

3701 Garden Rd, Richmond, VA 23235 

(804) 327-5612

For Interpretation: (804) 409-3877
Hours 7:45am - 2:15pm

Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary

2409 Webber Ave. Richmond, VA 23224

(804) 780-5008

For Interpretation: (804) 409-9831

Hours 7:45am - 2:15pm 
 

Richmond Success Academy Preschool

119 W. Leigh Street, Richmond VA 23220

(804) 780-7794

For Interpretation: (804) 500-6190

Hours: 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

Friends Association for Children

1004 Saint John Street Richmond, VA 23220

(804) 644-2357

Hours 8am - 2pm

5th Street Child Development Center 

1302 Victor St. Richmond, VA 23222

(804) 321-5615 

Hours 8am - 2pm

Oak Grove Child Care Center

2200 Fairfax Avenue Richmond, VA 23224

(804) 233-0279

Hours 8am - 2pm

Oak Grove Child Care Center II 

1606 E. 18th Street Richmond, VA 23224

(804) 233-2227 

Hours 8am - 2pm

Robert L. Taylor 

929 N 26th Street Richmond, VA 23223

(804) 565-5880

Hours 9am - 3pm

Woodville Day Nursery 

2012 Selden Street Richmond, VA 23223

(804) 648-4862

Hours 8am - 2pm