The Collingswood Public School District has specific requirements for students who attend our schools. In addition to meeting residency requirements, the State of New Jersey also requires a physical examination by a doctor and certain immunizations.

With the help of Preschool Expansion Funding, the Collingswood Public School District is able to offer a full-day preschool program, without charge, to Collingswood children. The Preschool Expansion Funding will cover the cost of teachers, instructional assistants, other professional personnel, supplies, and related expenses. The exact number of seats available will be determined by the New Jersey Department of Education.

If you are registering a child for Kindergarten, please click here.

Rachael Ostroff
(856) 833-5291 ext 8100
preschoolreg@collsk12.org

The Collingswood Preschool Lottery for the 2024-2025 school year is now closed.

If you have any questions about enrolling in the preschool program or would like to join the waitlist for the 2024-2025 school year, please contact Ms. Rachael Ostroff: preschoolreg@collsk12.org or 856-833-5291 ext 8100.

Information regarding the 2025-2026 Preschool Lottery will be posted in February 2025.

Q: Who is eligible?

A: Students who turn three (3) or four (4) years old by October 1 of the year they wish to enroll in the program and are residents of Collingswood.

Q: What programs are offered?

A: Full-day three (3) and four (4)year old mixed-age preschool classrooms will be offered to Collingswood children. No half-day programs are available.

Q: How many seats are available?

A: Our seat count will be determined from the New Jersey Department of Education on or about April 1.

Q: What are the hours?

A: The program runs from 9:00am - 3:00pm, 5 days per week when school is in session. Because our Preschool students will likely not be placed in the same school location as older siblings, there is a flexible “drop-off window” between 8:45am and 9:00am and a flexible “pickup window” between 2:45pm and 3:00pm. School lunch will be served and gross motor time provided. The program follows the Collingswood Public Schools district calendar.

Note: When school has a single session day the program will run from 9:00am - 12:30pm with the same 15-minute drop-off window in the morning and a pickup window between 12:15pm and 12:30pm.

Q: What is the cost of the program?

A: Collingswood residents may take advantage of the program free of charge.

Q: Are all Collingswood children guaranteed acceptance into the full-day preschool program?

A: While this is the ultimate goal, there are limited seats available during the 2023-2024 school year. Seats will be awarded via a lottery process with results of the lottery shared as soon as the New Jersey Department of Education confirms our seat count on or about April 1. After the lottery, any remaining seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. As we continue to expand our program over the next several years, we will strive to provide a program for additional Collingswood children.

Q: How will the lottery work?

A: Upon receipt of your lottery application, your child will be considered entered into the preschool lottery. We will randomly assign numbers to each application and award preschool seats until all available seats are filled. Children will be awarded seats based upon order of drawing. Any seats that remain available after the lottery will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Families will be notified of the lottery results, after the New Jersey Department of Education confirms our seat count, on or about April 15th.

Q: My child is currently enrolled in the three-year old program. Do I need to apply for next year?

A: No. Your child will automatically be enrolled in the program again next year as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria and you wish for them to remain in the program. A separate survey will be distributed for you to indicate your preference. Please do not register for the lottery.

Q: Do I get to choose my child’s school placement?

A: Unfortunately, no. While we will consider distance from your home to our preschool facilities, preschool is considered a “stand-alone” program and placement in the school of your choice is not guaranteed.

Q: Is transportation provided for students enrolled in the program?

A: As Collingswood is a walking district, no bus transportation is provided to our preschool locations. Because our Preschool students will likely not be placed in the same school location as older siblings, there is a flexible “drop-off window” between 8:45am and 9:00am and a flexible “pickup window” between 2:45pm and 3:00pm to allow families to travel between locations.