Early Childhood Education
If you have a child who will be 3 or 4 years old by August 31, 2020, consider applying for our program!
We welcome families of children of all abilities to apply.
How to complete an application for the the 2020-2021 school year?
- Option 1→ If you are prepared to complete the online application click the button!
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Using a phone will allow you to submit all the of the required documentation by taking a photo & uploading.
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The application must be completed in one sitting.
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Option 2 → If you have a paper copy of the application along with the supporting documents, then that can be emailed to michelle.gray@nhcs.net
- Option 3→ If submitting the application electronically does not work, an ECE team member will glady complete the application over the phone!
Our program offers preschool classrooms in both public schools and private child care sites across the county. This variety of placement locations helps our parents make the most convenient choice for classroom placement during the school year.
We encourage all families living in New Hanover County who have a 3 or 4 year old as of August 31st to apply for the Early Childhood Education Program.
NHCS Early Childhood Program provides services through the NC Pre-K Program, which is a state funded program, Head Start, which is a federal program, and through our local New Hanover county commissioners. Click the boxes below to learn more about these programs.
Head Start Program Performance Standards
Early Childhood Education Program Office
Wilmington, NC 28401
*Contact Numbers Below*
| Position in Early Childhood Department | Contact | |
| Shannon Smiles | Director | shannon.smiles@nhcs.net |
| Samantha Kea | Administrative Assistant | 910-254-4390 samantha.kea@nhcs.net |
| Gloria Lee-Taylor | NCPRK Specialist | 910-254-4340 gloria.leetaylor@nhcs.net |
| Michelle Gray | Early Childhood Specialist/Enrollment Lead | michelle.gray@nhcs.net |
| Beth Peddle | Instructional Coach |
susan.peddle@nhcs.net REMOTE WORKING NUMBER: 910-742-0258 |
| Allison Wine | Behavior Specialist | allison.wine@nhcs.net |
| Milena Cepeda-Andreassen | Parent Liaison/Enrollment | milena.cepedaandreas@nhcs.net |
| Sandra Sarmiento | Bilingual Family Specialist/ERSEA |
Johnson Pre-K Center Remote Working Number:(984) 355-0607 |
| Amarillia Martinez Cordova | Bilingual Family Specialist/Family and Community Partnerships |
Johnson Pre-K Center Remote Working Number:(910) 999-7224 |
| Melody McNeill | Family Specialist/ Health Services |
Johnson Pre-K Center |
| Michelle Pledger | Family Specialist/Enrollment | CRA@Mosley Pre-K Center michelle.pledger@nhcs.net 910-251-6161 ext 105 |