Mini-Mounties Pre-K Registration Information

2026–2027 School Year

Important Update

March 18, 2026

Montclair Public Schools has received confirmation from the New Jersey Department of Education regarding Preschool Expansion Aid (PEA) funding for the 2026–2027 school year.

While the district requested funding to expand the number of preschool classrooms and seats available, the State approved limited expansion funding. As a result, not all proposed additional classrooms will open for the 2026–2027 school year.

Following confirmation of funding, the district completed a comprehensive review of enrollment across all Mini-Mounties program sites. As part of this process, special education placements and classroom configurations were finalized to ensure that all classrooms meet required program guidelines and ratios.

As students transitioned from general education lottery seats to special education placements, additional general education seats became available within existing, already funded classrooms. This allowed the district to identify additional available seats within current program capacity.

What to Expect Next

• Placement offers are anticipated to be sent on or before March 27

• Families will have a limited window to accept or decline placements

• Additional placements may be offered following the initial acceptance period

• Families will be contacted directly if a seat becomes available

Please note that families may not re-rank or request changes to site preferences following placement notifications.

Due to the volume of applications and the ongoing nature of the placement process, individual waitlist positions are not available.

Additional Program Updates

Pending Board of Education approval, all in-district preschool classrooms (CHB, DLC, Hillside, and Nishuane) will be located at the Montclair Early Learning Academy (currently Renaissance) beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.

Additionally, some previously planned expansion classrooms at community provider sites will not open due to State funding decisions.

Looking Ahead

Montclair Public Schools remains committed to expanding access to high-quality preschool programming. The district will continue to work with the State and community partners to pursue future expansion opportunities.

Information Session (All Providers)

Tuesday, December 16, 2025
🕡 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Charles H. Bullock School Cafeteria - 55 Washington Street

Families are encouraged to attend this information session to:

• Learn about the Mini-Mounties Preschool Program

• Hear directly from each Mini-Mounties provider

• Learn about before- and after-care options

• Understand the application and placement process
  
  

Tour Week

January 5 – January 9, 2026

See provider pages for specific tour dates and times.

During Tour Week, families may visit Mini-Mounties classrooms at each provider site. This is a great opportunity to:

• See classrooms

• Ask questions

• Learn more about each location’s daily routine and supports

Application Opens (New Families)

Friday, January 9, 2026
⏰ 7:30am

The Mini-Mounties application for the 2026–2027 school year will open online.
Please note:

• The application is not first-come, first-served. Once the application closes, applications will be randomized.

• Families must rank all Mini-Mounties sites to submit an application
  
  

Priority Application Deadline

Friday, January 16, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM

Families who submit their application by this deadline will receive priority consideration.
After the application closes:

• Applications will be randomly ordered

• Placement offers will be made based on availability, with families remaining on the waitlist during the 2025-2026 schol year prioritized for placement.
  
  

Seat Notifications

Friday, January 23, 2026 by 4pm

Families will be notified if their child has been:

• Offered a Mini-Mounties placement, or

• Placed on the waitlist

Placement Notifications - TBD

District Registration Opens - TBD

We know choosing a preschool is an important decision. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, and we are committed to expanding access so that every Montclair child has the opportunity to start their learning journey with Mini-Mounties.

For additional details, please visit our FAQ page.

The application period for the 2026–2027 PreK Lottery is now closed.

Families who are newly moving to Montclair and believe they may be eligible for an income-eligible preschool seat should email minimounties@montclair.k12.nj.us for additional information.

El período de solicitud para la Lotería de PreK 2026–2027 ya está cerrado.

Las familias que se estén mudando recientemente a Montclair y consideren que podrían ser elegibles para un cupo de preescolar basado en ingresos deben enviar un correo electrónico a minimounties@montclair.k12.nj.us para obtener información adicional.

O período de inscrição para a Loteria de PreK 2026–2027 está encerrado.

Famílias que estejam se mudando recentemente para Montclair e que acreditem ser elegíveis para uma vaga de pré-escola com base na renda devem enviar um e-mail para minimounties@montclair.k12.nj.us para obter mais informações.

2026–2027 PreK Çekilişi için başvuru dönemi artık kapanmıştır.

Montclair’e yeni taşınan ve gelire dayalı okul öncesi kontenjanına uygun olabileceklerini düşünen aileler, daha fazla bilgi için minimounties@montclair.k12.nj.us adresine e-posta göndermelidir.

Peryòd aplikasyon pou Loteri PreK 2026–2027 la kounye a fèmen.

Fanmi ki fèk ap deplase vini Montclair epi ki panse yo ka elijib pou yon plas lekòl matènèl ki baze sou revni tanpri voye yon imèl bay minimounties@montclair.k12.nj.us pou plis enfòmasyon.

ההרשמה להגרלת הגן (PreK) לשנת הלימודים 2026–2027 נסגרה.

משפחות שעוברות כעת להתגורר במונקלייר וסבורות כי ייתכן שהן זכאיות למקום בגן על בסיס הכנסה מתבקשות לפנות בדוא״ל ל־minimounties@montclair.k12.nj.us לקבלת מידע נוסף.

If your child has been placed at a provider location (MCPK, Neighborhood Childcare, YMCA, MCDC, MSU), you will need to complete the registration for BOTH Montclair Public Schools AND the assigned provider location. For DLC, Nishuane, CHB, and Hillside only the MPS registration is required. Please DO NOT complete these forms if you are on the waiting list and have not been assigned a location. 

If you have any questions regarding provider registration, please contact the provider directly: