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What Is the MSDE Pre-K Expansion Grant?
The Prekindergarten Expansion Grant is a competitive program administered by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). It was created to expand access to high-quality Pre-K for three and four year old children across Maryland — and Sweet Potato Kids was selected as an approved provider.
Being selected for this grant isn't automatic. MSDE awards it only to programs that meet rigorous standards for educational quality, safety, and child development outcomes. It's a recognition of 25 years of excellence — and it means qualifying families can access our full Pre-K program at little or no cost.
Do You Qualify?
You may be eligible for free or subsidized Pre-K at Sweet Potato Kids if:
1. Your child is 3 or 4 years old (turning 3 or 4 by September 1, 2026)
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2. Your child lives in Maryland
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3. Your household income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $90,840/year for a family of four)
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4. You are looking for full-day, high-quality Pre-K programming
If you checked every box above, your child likely qualifies. The next step is simple — schedule a tour and we'll walk you through the process together.
Call us at 443-405-3408 or Schedule a tour a visit our center to find out!
What Does Free Pre-K at SPK Include?
This isn't just free childcare. It's the same award-winning, MSDE-accredited Pre-K program that families in Baltimore County have trusted for over 25 years.
Through the Pre-K Expansion Grant, qualifying children receive:​
✦ Full-day Pre-K — Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 6:30pm
✦ The Creative Curriculum — a research-based, nationally recognized approach to early learning
✦ Weekly Mandarin Chinese classes — through our partnership with Fun With Foreign Language
✦ STEM exploration, gardening, nutrition education, and outdoor learning
✦ Small class sizes with qualified, caring early childhood educators
✦ A nurturing community where every child is known, celebrated, and challenged
All within a program that has served over 11,000 scholars and their families since 1999.
