Dominica Nichols outlines Virginia Beach Pre-K application process, eligibility and required documents

Dominica Nichols, representative of the Office of Family and Community Engagement for Virginia Beach City Public Schools, led a Spanish-language virtual session explaining how families can apply for the district’s full‑day Pre‑K program and what documents and timelines they should expect. She said applications open in January of the year before the school year for which families are applying and that placement is limited and not determined by order of submission.

Nichols summarized the program’s goals and funding: "El programa de preescolar ofrece a los niños experiencia de aprendizaje significativas para prepararlos para una transición exitosa al jardín de infancia," and said the division funds Pre‑K through a combination of the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI), BPI, local funds and a Title I grant. She emphasized the program is targeted to families with the greatest needs.

On eligibility, Nichols listed the qualifying conditions families must meet (a child needs to meet at least one): low family income under federal poverty guidelines; a parent or guardian who did not complete high school; lack of fixed, regular or adequate housing (homelessness); or that the child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP). She added that an IEP team determines whether a general education Pre‑K classroom is the appropriate placement.

Nichols gave specific age and residency requirements: a child must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 30 of the school year for which the application is submitted, and the child’s primary residence must be in Virginia Beach. She also noted families employed by the schools may be eligible under the district’s guidance.

The office described a three‑phase application process. Phase 1 is an online application available on the Virginia Beach City Public Schools website (a QR code shown during the session links to the application); Phase 2 is document verification and a virtual selection appointment where staff review birth certificates, parent photo ID, recent income documentation (W‑2s, pay stubs or tax forms) and residency proofs (mortgage/rental agreement or utility bill); Phase 3 is mailing assignment or waitlist letters, which Nichols said begins in March and may continue through the summer.

Nichols warned that advancing to Phase 2 does not guarantee placement. For families without internet or a device, she said to call the Pre‑K help line to schedule a phone‑assisted application or an in‑person appointment. She also instructed that, if using tax documents to verify income, families must provide recent tax paperwork and that custody court orders must be submitted when applicable.

On next steps, Nichols said families who receive assignment letters must follow the instructions to complete school registration; children are not officially enrolled until registration is finished. She closed by encouraging viewers to contact the Pre‑K office by phone or email for help and to use the QR code shown in the video to access forms, FAQs and other community resources.

The session provided step‑by‑step guidance but did not include any new policy changes or votes; it was an informational outreach to help families prepare applications and gather necessary documentation.