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Other Prekindergarten Options

If your family does not meet the eligibility criteria to qualify for the HCPSS Pre-K program, there are other community-based options available.

Regional Early Childhood Centers (RECCs)

The Howard County Public School System includes Regional Early Childhood Centers (RECCs) within nearly half of our local elementary schools. Our RECCs offer high quality early childhood programs that focus on developing kindergarten readiness skills for all children in classrooms that include children with and without disabilities.

Learning Together Program

The Learning Together Program (LTP) enables all young children to play with each other, develop long-term friendships, and benefit from a diverse and stimulating environment. A limited number of openings are available for children without disabilities. Children are selected based upon screening information given on the application form and space availability. If necessary, a lottery process is conducted.

Participation in the Learning Together Program requires a monthly fee and families are required to provide their own transportation daily.

Locations of RECC programs for the upcoming school year are budget-pending and will be confirmed prior to June 15th or the last day of the current school year. Locations with available LTP programs may vary each year.

Apply for the Learning Together Program

HCPSS is now accepting applications for students who will be 3 or 4 by September 1, 2023. Applications are available at the front office of RECC locations throughout the county.

All completed applications must be submitted to the designated LTP Screening location based on your child’s assigned home school. To confirm your child’s home school based on your address, please visit the School Locator. Once you have identified your child’s home school, use the chart on page 2 of the LTP flier to determine where turn in your application.

Families may also contact their LTP Screening locations directly or Early Intervention Services (LTPprogram@hcpss.org; 410-313-7017) to request an application.

For the 2023-2024 school year, you will be completing only one application for your child, but you can apply to multiple schools. This process allows you to select the school(s) that work best for your family’s needs. The school you choose as your first choice will notify you that they received your application and whether your child has been accepted into their LTP or not.

Additional information about the LTP program is available in the LTP Program Flier.

Approved Referral and Assistance Services

  • Maryland Family Network’s LOCATE: Child Care is a free, referral service with detailed information on all regulated child care in Maryland. Trained referral specialists help families identify child care based on personal preferences including program type, location, and cost. Visit their website or call 1-877-261-0060.
  • LOCATE: Child Care Special Needs Service is a free service available to any family with a child (birth-21yrs) with a special need. Call 800.999.0120 or email specialneeds@marylandfamilynetwork.org. Service is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Messages can be left during non-business hours and LOCATE staff will return the call as soon as possible. For more details, visit their website.
  • The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) (formerly known as Child Care Subsidy) Program provides financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families in Maryland. Apply for your child’s first scholarship today! Visit the CCS website for more information.
  • The Howard County CARE (Child and Adolescent Resources and Education) Center’s CARE Line is a free information and referral service for people who have questions about children in Howard County. CARE Center staff work with families to identify their needs and help find solutions. For assistance, call 410-313-CARE (410-313-2273) or email children@howardcountymd.gov.
  • Community Action Council’s Head Start program provides preschool to eligible 3 to 5 year old children. For more information, contact Head Start at 410-313-6443 or visit their website.