Early Childhood Program Eligibility
Eligibility: Who Do We Serve?
We serve eligible students ages 3-4 years who reside in Middlesex County. We also serve students from age 2 for early childhood special education needs, based on special education eligibility procedures and the Child Find process. Students can qualify through several different criteria and funding sources.
We encourage all families to apply regardless of criteria used to determine eligibility!
Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI)
The Virginia Preschool Initiative is a program that distributes state funds to schools and community-based organizations to provide high-quality preschool programs for at-risk four-year-olds not served by Head Start. The purpose of the program is to reduce disparities among children entering kindergarten and to reduce or eliminate those risk factors that may lead to early academic failure.
VPI Eligibility Criteria:
Family income is at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines
Homelessness
Parent/Guardian is a high school dropout
children with disabilities or delays who are eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, regardless of household income
Additional MCPS Locally-Established Criteria Considerations
Single parent household
Child is in foster care
Child is an English language learner (ELL)
Parent/Guardian is incarcerated
Parent/Guardian is on military deployment
Parent/Guardian is deceased
Child is being raised by relatives other than parent
Family has been negatively impacted by COVID-19
In addition, because Middlesex Elementary School is a Title I school and receives funds through that program, we are able to serve children who may not meet the criteria listed above.
Coordinated Enrollment
Coordinated Enrollment is meant to promote community collaboration around enrollment practices. This includes managing and disseminating information, coordinating eligibility criteria, using a common application, and creating a shared waitlist. These strategies simplify early childhood enrollment for families and providers. In our area, Middlesex County coordinates enrollment with Horizons Early Learning Center and PCDC Head Start.