When is the 2025-26 Preschool Lottery for Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center and Kindle Elementary School?

The 2025-26 Preschool Lottery for GTECC and Kindle will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. live on our District YouTube channel.

When will parents be able to sign up for the lottery?

The enrollment period for the 2025-26 Preschool Lottery for GTECC and Kindle will run from January 28-February 12, 2025. Click here to complete the special registration form. Any entries submitted after 11:59 p.m. on February 12th will not be accepted.

What are the requirements for entering the lottery?

• Students must be the designated age of the class on or before October 1, 2025.  

• Students must be residents of Washington Township (proof of residency will be required). 

• Students must have up-to-date immunizations.

What is the lottery process? What will I see the night of the lottery? 

After the deadline for completing the signup form (February 12th at 11:59 p.m.), the district will randomly generate lottery numbers, which will be sent to the parent/guardian via email by the end of the day on February 18th. If you do not receive your number by February 19th, please contact the registration department via email or by phone at 856-589-6644, x6698. On the night of the lottery, February 20th, the district will enter all lottery numbers into an online randomizer. We will spin the randomizer to pick numbers one at a time until all available preschool spots are filled. There will be separate lotteries for 3- and 4-year-olds. After winners are selected, we will pull 25 additional 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds who will be placed on a waitlist. The waitlist will be used to fill spots that become available if winners either turn down their spots or do not complete registration within an allotted period of time.

What if I have twins or triplets?

Families of multiples (i.e. twins or triplets who share the same birthdate) who successfully secure one lottery spot will have the option to enroll all of their children into the program. Those families will receive one lottery number pertaining to all of their multiples.

When will I be notified if I have been assigned a seat from the lottery?

Within 24 hours after the lottery, the registration department will contact families whose children have been selected with instructions on how to complete their preschool registration. Those families will be given a deadline to complete registration before we move on to students on our waitlist.

Does my child need to be potty trained to attend the preschool program?

No. However, if enrolled, this is an area we can support families. 

Does my child need to attend five days per week, or can they attend part-time?

The WTPS preschool program is full-day, five days per week program. That was a stipulation of the grant we received from the state. All students are expected to attend every day. 

Is before and after care offered?

Before- and after-school care will be available at all locations at an additional cost. Information and pricing will be forthcoming.

What are the hours for the preschool program? Will the private providers follow the same calendar and daily hours as Grenloch Terrace and Kindle School?

The full-day program will run Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 2:55 p.m. (with allotted nap time) at all locations and will follow the District’s school calendar. Part-time enrollment is not an option through the Preschool Education Aid funding.

Is there any cost associated with registration or attendance?

No. WTPS preschool is funded through a Preschool Education Aid (PEA) grant from the New Jersey Department of Education’s Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE). Before and after care is not included and must be handled through Kids Choice. 

What curriculum is used?

All locations will follow the preschool curriculum established by the Washington Township Public Schools. The preschool play-based program, called Creative Curriculum, is structured to meet the social, emotional, physical, communication, and cognitive needs of students by teaching developmentally appropriate skill areas that are embedded throughout the curriculum. 

Will transportation be offered to these locations?

Transportation cannot be guaranteed at this time.

Will I receive free and reduced lunch, if applicable? 

Yes.

Once enrolled, I am guaranteed a spot for the following year? Will this be at the same location?

Yes. As always, this is contingent on PEA funding.

What about the private provider locations? Is that an option in this lottery?

We anticipate additional preschool spots to be available at private provider locations, which potentially would require an expansion lottery later this spring. Those locations are not an option in this lottery.

If I’m on the waitlist and I’m offered a spot at a location I do not prefer, can I turn down that seat and remain on the waitlist for a different location?

If you do not wish to accept a seat at the location offered, you may ask to remain on the waitlist. However, you will be placed at the end of the list and cannot be guaranteed a spot at any location.