Georgia’s nationally recognized Pre-K Program is beginning its 34th year, and for children in Chattooga County, the school year is already underway.

According to the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), Chattooga County was among the first school systems in the state to welcome Pre-K students, with classes beginning as early as July 24. Across Georgia, first-day schedules vary by local school system, with some programs not starting until early September.

Georgia’s Pre-K Program is available at no cost to eligible four-year-old children regardless of family income. The lottery-funded program began as a pilot in 1992 and expanded statewide in 1995. Last year, Georgia met all 10 quality benchmarks in the National Institute for Early Education Research’s annual Pre-K report card, highlighting the state’s commitment to high-quality early childhood education.

DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs said research consistently shows that education from birth through age five plays a critical role in children’s future academic success and long-term workforce readiness.

Earlier this year, Chattooga County Schools opened enrollment for Pre-K classes serving children in Lyerly, Menlo and Summerville. Students must be four years old on or before September 1 to participate in the program.

State guidelines require Georgia’s Pre-K Program to provide 180 instructional days, with each school day consisting of 6.5 hours of classroom instruction focused on preparing children for kindergarten