PA PRE-K COUNTS 



What is PA Pre-K Counts? 

Children who come to Kindergarten without all the 
skills they need often struggle and fall behind. 
Quality Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programming 
prepares children not only for reading and math, 
but also for social skills, paying attention, and 
following directions. It gives them a better chance 
for success and gets them excited about school. 


Established by the Pennsylvania Department of 
Education, PA Pre-K Counts brings quality pre-
Kindergarten (both half day and full day) to children 
ages 3 through the entry age for Kindergarten 
(those who will be attending Kindergarten the 
following year). 

How Does It Work? 

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts provides funding for more 
than 13,000 children to attend pre-Kindergarten 
(half day or full day) in programs operated by 
schools, child care centers, Head Start, and private 
academic preschools. The program is designed to 
support those who are at risk of school failure 
because of poverty (See Federal Poverty Guidelines 
on the back of this handout), language barriers, or 
special needs issues. 

How Much Does It Cost? 

PA Pre-K Counts is free to eligible families. The 
program may charge for additional non-Pre-K 
Counts programming, such as wraparound child care. 

 
How Can I Enroll My Child? 

PA Pre-K Counts can be held in schools, Head Start 
programs, childcare programs with Keystone STARS 
ratings of Star 3 or 4, and in private academic 
preschools. They are available in most of PA’s 67 
counties. To find one near you, visit http://
www.pakeys.org/pages/get.aspx?
page=Programs_PreK_Programs . 


 
Phone: (717) 346-9320 

 Websites: For more information on PA Pre-K Counts, 
visit https://www.pakeys.org/pages/
get.aspx?page=Programs_PreK_Families . 
For a PA Pre-K Counts downloadable flyer, 
go to http://www.education.pa. 
gov/Documents/Early%20Learning/Pre-K%
20Counts/PA%20Pre-K%20Counts%
20Flyer%20for%20Parents.pdf . 



 Age Range: Age 3 and younger than the entry age for 
Kindergarten 

 Eligibility: Age and income eligible 


IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

 
Does My Family Meet the Eligibility 
Guidelines? 

 
To find out if your family meets the eligibility 
requirements needed to qualify for participation in 
PA Pre-K Counts, simply follow the chart below. * 


1. Under the Household Size column, locate the 
number of individuals residing in your 
household. Age does not matter. 
2. Follow the row across to the 300% column. If 
your family income is less than this amount, 
your child may be eligible. 

* These guidelines are subject to change annually. To locate the most updat-
ed guidelines, visit: http://www.dhs.pa.gov. 
 



Tom Wolf, Governor