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 for the 2023-2024 school year. This additional funding means we will be able to offer high-quality, full-day preschool 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.

For the 2023-2024 school year, high-quality, full-day preschool in Collingswood is being planned for the Thomas Sharp Elementary School, the Zane North Elementary School, the Collingswood Preschool Center at Oaklyn School, and the Collingswood Preschool Center at the First United Methodist Church on Dayton Avenue in Collingswood. In addition, we are partnering with Mosaic Early Learning through Head Start of Camden County to offer preschool to as many Collingswood children as possible. Each program will follow many of the best practices known to result in the greatest learning for all children.

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

Lisa Pendarvis
(856) 858-0335 ext 7188
lpendarvis@collsk12.org

Registration for the 2023-2024 lottery is now closed.  Please contact us if you have any questions and/or would like to be added to our program waitlist. 

Lottery applications are due Tuesday, March 21, 2023.  The lottery will be conducted as soon as possible after confirmation of our seat count by the New Jersey Department of Education.  We will notify families of the lottery results on or around April 1.  

If you have any questions about enrolling in the Preschool program, please contact Ms. Lisa Pendarvis at lpendarvis@collsk12.org or call 856-858-0335 ext 7188.

If you are interested in our full-day Preschool program for September 2023, complete the application that will be found on this page between Tuesday February 21, 2023 and Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 10:00am.Please note that all 3-year olds currently enrolled in our Preschool program are guaranteed seats in the next school years program and need not re-enroll. All other children will be admitted based on the number of open seats determined by the New Jersey Department of Education and results of our Preschool Lottery, held on or about April 1st.

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 full-day 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 full day 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-of 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 application prior to Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 10:00am, 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. As soon as the New Jersey Department of Education confirms our seat count on or about April 1st, we will notify families of the lottery results.

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 and any existing sibling connections to our schools, 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. Full-day preschool is planned for the Thomas Sharp Elementary School, Zane North Elementary School, Collingswood Preschool Center at Oaklyn School, and the Collingswood Preschool Center at the First United Methodist Church on Dayton Avenue in Collingswood. 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.

Lisa Pendarvis
(856) 858-0335 ext 7188
lpendarvis@collsk12.org