Parent/Guardians

Set of kid toys on a white shelf

Programs

There are many options for high quality early care and education programs for children from birth through 4 years of age.

Children playing with colorful blocks

Registration Information

Find out how to apply for quality learning programs for your child within the Jefferson Early Childhood Collaborative.

schoolgirls looking for books in library

Resources

We are here to assist you in finding the best resources in Jefferson Parish for your child and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Each parent may submit one application indicating their first, second, and third choices. Site and program options depend on the child’s age, household income, and residency location.

Typically, the process takes 10-20 minutes, depending on your household information and the time required to upload supporting documentation.

Please contact the site or program you would like your child to attend for application assistance. You may also contact the JPS PreK Department at 504-349-7696 for assistance.

No, the application process is strictly electronic.

Once the application is completed online, you will receive an email at the email address you provided when you created an account.

It is the user’s responsibility to protect the integrity of any information entered in the system. This includes, but is not limited to, passwords or personal information about you or your child. You must also agree not to share your login information or password with anyone except a parent or legal guardian.

No. You must call the JPS PreK Department for an administrator to assist you.

Yes. You must scan and upload the required documentation before your application is considered complete. You can receive support to scan and upload documents at the site or program you would like your child to attend or at the JPS PreK Department.

Your child’s name will not be placed in the lottery to assign seats if all documentation is not uploaded by the deadline.

Applications must be completed with required documentation by the application deadline to be included in the first lottery to assign seats in the programs. Many programs fill all seats in the first lottery. Seats not filled in the first lottery are available within subsequent lotteries. Application deadlines will be posted on the Jefferson Child website and on the JPS website at www.jpschools.org.

Once the application is completed online with the required documentation, you will receive an email at the email address you provided when you created an account. This email is your confirmation of completed registration.

Requests for changes to an application must be made prior to the deadline for the lottery. The most current information in the application will be used in the lottery process.

Yes. Some sites and programs can enroll children who live outside of Jefferson Parish. Once you enter your address and household information, the system will show the programs for which you are eligible.

*Note – Children who reside outside of Jefferson Parish are not eligible to apply for Birth-3Head Start, and JPS (school system) sites or programs.

Applications are accepted year round. However, applications must be completed by the posted deadline to be included within a lottery. Most seats funded by  B-3LA 4NSECDEarly Head Start, and Head Start are filled in the first lottery. Remaining seats are filled in second and third lottery runs.

Applications submitted after all lottery runs will be placed based on availability and review time may vary.

All seats awarded through the Jefferson Early Childhood lottery are pending (not finalized) until final funding awards are received from the Federal Government and/or the Louisiana Legislature and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).