EBR Public Schools
Our unified application process allows parents and guardians to register their children for public school Pre-K 4 in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Pre-K 4
Programs are available for children who are 4 years old by September 30th of the academic school year. A screening is required. Families who do not meet state income eligibility requirements for free tuition may be required to pay tuition based on a sliding fee scale.
For a list of all EBR Schools with Pre-K4, click here and select “Pre-K”.
Pre-K 3
Programs for 3 year olds can be found through Magnet, Gifted, and ESS. Microcenters also serve 3 year olds.
Apply Now
01
Complete the online application and upload all required documents. You can pick three school choices.
Round 1 application period: 2/19 – 3/20
02
Contact your school of first choice to schedule a screening for your child. Screenings will be conducted 2/23 – 3/20 for 1st round applicants.
03
Receive email notification of acceptance, waitlist status or request for additional information. 1st round lottery results will be sent on 3/27. The lottery will continue weekly on Fridays after 3/27.
04
If you are waitlisted at each of your selected schools, please contact the Pre-K department at (225) 226-7675 for information about other schools with available seats.
05
After accepting a seat, contact the school for next steps of enrollment.
See the list of required documents below to ensure you aren’t missing anything.
Charter Schools
EBR Early Childhood Community Network includes charter schools that receive public funding for Pre-K seats. Limited seats are available. Programs are available for children who are 4 years old by September 30th of the academic school year. Families who do not meet state income eligibility requirements for free tuition may be required to pay tuition of up to $558 per month.
Which Charter Schools have Pre-K Seats?
Park Ridge Elementary (Baker)
Lanier Charter Elementary
Baton Rouge Ochsner Discover Charter
South Baton Rouge Charter
Prescott Academy
Impact Charter (Baker)
Apply Now
01
Complete the online application and upload all required documents. You can pick three school choices.
02
Contact your selected Charter School(s) for next steps.
03
Accept your seat via your selected charter school’s process.
04
Complete enrollment via that charter school’s enrollment process.
05
If you’ve been waitlisted, please contact the Pre-K department at (225) 226-7675 for available seats at other school sites.
Nonpublic Schools Early Childhood development
NSECDs are private schools and child care centers who receive public funds for PreK seats from the Louisiana Department of Education. Programs are available for children who are 3 or 4 years old by September 30th of the academic school year. Families who do not meet state income eligibility requirements for free tuition may be required to pay tuition of up to $558 per month.
Which schools are considered NSECD sites?
Gardere Community Christian School
Hosanna Christian Academy
Kindercare Learning Center (Greenwell Springs Road)
Raising Angels
Redemptorist Elementary School
Second Baptist Christian Academy
*Pending BESE approval
Apply Now
01
Complete the online application and upload all required documents. For program option, select Non-Public Schools Early Childhood Development Program (NSECD).
02
Please allow up to 30 days for your application to be reviewed. Check your email regularly in case additional information is required.
03
Follow up with the NSECD school for next steps or questions regarding your application.
04
Upon acceptance, contact the school for next steps to complete the enrollment process.
05
If you’ve been waitlisted, please contact the Pre-K department at (225) 226-7675 for available seats at other school sites.
Microcenters
Microcenters are licensed Type III centers located in EBR Schools or other shared spaces. Limited scholarships are available at each site. Each site also accepts CCAP and tuition-paying students. EBR Schools has partnered with the following Type III Centers to offer early learning programs for children under the age of four at the following locations:
Kidz Karousel at Crestworth Early Learning Center 70807 (ages 2 & 3)
Kidz Karousel at BR FLAIM 70808 (age 3)
Little Dreamers at Northeast Elementary 70770 (ages birth to 3)
London Bridge at BRCVPA 70808 (age 3)
YWCA Early Learning Center – Melrose 70806 (ages birth to 3)
Click Here for Scholarship Information
Limited scholarships are available for families who are working or in school and meet certain eligibility requirements. To apply, complete the coordinated application and select an eligible center. The review of scholarship applications begins in April.
Apply Now
01
Complete the online application and upload all required documents.
02
The microcenter will contact you within 3-5 business days with more information.
03
If the microcenter does not contact you within 5 business days, contact them for additional information regarding your application.
04
If accepted, complete the enrollment by following that microcenter’s enrollment process.
05
If you are waitlisted, you may contact the Early Childhood Department at 225-508-4436 or 225-960-1671 for information about other program options.
City of Baton Rouge Head Start
Head Start is a Federal program that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to age five from low-income families. Head Start programs provide a learning environment that supports children’s growth in many areas such as language, literacy, and social and emotional development.
Head Start Sites by ZIP Code
70802
Wonderland head Start
New Horizon head Start
Freeman-Matthews head Start
70807
Progress Road head Start Campus
70810
Charlie Thomas Memorial Head Start
70815
LaBelle Aire Head Start
Apply Now
01
If applying to multiple programs, complete the coordinated online application and proceed to Step #2. If only applying to Head Start, skip to Step 2 and do not complete the coordinated application.
02
Start the Head Start’s application process.
03
Contact Head Start to complete the application process.
04
Receive notification of application status from Head Start. If accepted, complete the enrollment process.
05
If you are waitlisted, you may contact the Early Childhood Department at 225-508-4436 or 225-960-1671 for information about other program options.
YWCA Early Head Start
Head Start is a Federal program that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to age five from low-income families. Head Start programs provide a learning environment that supports children’s growth in many areas such as language, literacy, and social and emotional development.
Many Head Start programs also provide Early Head Start, which serves infants, toddlers, and pregnant women and their families who have incomes below the Federal poverty level.
Where are YWCA Early Head Start Programs available?
Prescott Early Head Start
Wyandotte Early Head Start
Melrose Early Learning Center
Apply Now
01
If applying to multiple program options, complete the coordinated online application.
02
If only applying to YWCA Early Head Start, apply directly through the YWCA’s application process.
03
Contact YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge to complete the application process.
04
Receive notification of application status from YWCA.
05
If you are waitlisted, you may contact the Early Childhood Department at 225-508-4436 or 225-960-1671 for information about other program options.
Type III Early Learning Centers
Type III Early Learning Centers (also known as child care) are licensed centers who receive Academic Approval from the Louisiana Department of Education. Families with children attending Type III centers may be eligible for School Readiness Tax Credits (certain criteria apply). Each center accepts CCAP and tuition-paying families. Scholarships are also available at certain centers.
Click Here for Scholarship Information
Limited scholarships are available for families who are working or in school and meet certain eligibility requirements. To apply, complete the coordinated application and select an eligible center. The review of scholarship applications begins in April.
Apply Now
01
Complete the online application and upload all required documents. For program option, select Early Learning Centers (Childcares). They are listed by ZIP code.
02
The early learning center will contact you within 3-5 business days with more information.
03
If the center does not contact you within 5 business days, contact them for additional information regarding your application.
04
If accepted, complete the enrollment by following the learning center’s enrollment process.
05
If you are waitlisted, you may contact the Early Childhood Department at 225-508-4436 or 225-960-1671 for information about other program options.
Family Child Care Provider
Family Child Care (FCC) providers are licensed child care centers within a home environment who receive Academic Approval from the Louisiana Department of Education. These providers accept payments from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
Apply Now
01
Complete the online application and upload all required documents.
02
Please allow up to 30 days for your application to be renewed if you are applying for grant funding.
03
The FCC will contact you within 3-5 business days with more information.
04
If the FCC does not contact you within 5 business days, contact them for additional information regarding your application.
05
If you are waitlisted, you may contact the Early Childhood Department at 225-508-4436 or 225-960-1671 for information about other program options.
Required Documents
Please note you must upload the following documents while completing the application. If you are using a mobile device, you can use your device’s camera to take a clear photo of the document to upload. No paper documentation will be accepted.
Birth Certificate
For Microcenters, Family Child Care, City of BR Head Start and YWCA Early Head Start, a birth certificate is required for each child in the household under the age of 18.
Parent/Guardian's I.D.
A government-issued photo I.D. is required for parent/guardian identification.
Immunization Records or Exemption
Up-to date immunization records or an immunization exemption form from a doctor.
Proof of Residence
Two proofs of residence are required. Acceptable documents include electricity, water, and cable/internet bills, or a mortgage or lease statement. Document(s) must include the parent/guardian’s name, address and a date within 60 days of the Early Childhood application date.
Proof of Income
Proof of income is required for EBR Public Schools, Charter Schools and NSECD. Acceptable documents include two consecutive (and recent) check stubs, SNAP benefits, SSI benefit letter, or a letter from your employer.
Proof of income or enrollment in school is required for Microcenters, FCCs, City of BR Head Start and YWCA Early Head Start. Acceptable documents include four consecutive (and recent) check stubs, school schedule, or a letter from your employer.
