Nikki Leonard - Wake County Smart Start

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Our office will be closed on Monday, December 8th due to inclement weather. Staff will be working remotely.

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Family Support Connection Tool

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Wake Pre-K Early learning for 4-year-olds

Wake ThreeSchool Early learning for 3-year-olds

Wake Connections Parent support programs

Parents + Guardians
Wake Pre-K
Learn about our free, Pre-K program for eligible 4-year-olds.
Wake ThreeSchool
Learn about our free, early learning program for eligible 3-year-olds.
At Home + Group Support
Visit Wake Connections, our referral service that connects families to free, home-based and parent-group support programs.
Quality Child Care
What is high-quality child care, why is it important, and how to find it in Wake County?
Early Literacy
Early literacy is what children (birth - age 5) learn about reading and writing before they read and write on their own.
Find WCSS in the Community
Learn about our outreach and engagement work in Wake County and where to find us.
Family Support Connection Tool - New!
Find essential Wake County resources pertaining to early education, parenting support, child development, basic needs, and more using our simple online tool.
EC Professionals
Improve Your Child Care Facility
Learn about our programs for providers that improve quality, teach healthy habits, and create outdoor learning environments.
Become a Pre-K or ThreeSchool Classroom
Learn how to join our team of sites that host Pre-K and/or Wake ThreeSchool classrooms.
Pre-K Toolkit
Find necessary forms, resources, and program requirements to manage NC Pre-K classrooms.
ThreeSchool Toolkit
Find necessary forms, resources, and program requirements to manage Wake ThreeSchool classrooms.
Professional Development
Find in-person and online development opportunities for EC professionals and community partners.
Community Partners
Current Funded Partners
See a list of our current fiscal year funded programs.
Become a Funded Partner
Learn about our funding allocations process.
Funded Partner Toolkit
Find forms and resources for our current funded programs.
Wake Connections Partners
See the current direct service providers that comprise our Wake Connections intake system.
Become an Outreach Partner
Learn how we partner with community members to help raise awareness around early education.
Make A Referral
Learn how professionals can refer families for home-based and group support programs.
Get Involved
Donate now
Your gift makes a difference in the lives of young children in Wake County.
Volunteer
From building outdoor learning environments to assisting with supply drives for child care centers, we have many ways to get involved.
Advocate
Use your voice and help be the megaphone for early education.
Connect: Social Media
See recent content about our work and impact in the community.
Resources
Early Childhood Professional Resources
Development + Milestones
Get resources about childhood develop and developmental milestones.
Health +
Wellness
Health & wellness resources for children and early childhood professionals.
Transition to Kindergarten
Find resources that help with children's transition into kindergarten.
WCSS Newsletters + Reports
Browse the Wake County Smart Start early childhood newsletters & reports.
Social +
Emotional
Get resources on mental wellness, childhood stress & trauma, emotional intelligence, and more.
About Us
Our Impact
See how our work is helping improve young children’s lives in Wake County.
Our Team
Meet our Staff.
Our Board
Meet the members of our board.
Board Portal
Secure portal for WCSS Board Members.
Careers
Find job postings, apply for positions, and learn more about our culture.
Request for Proposals
View all of our available RFPs.
Contact Us
Get in touch with Wake County Smart Start.
News + Press
For media professionals: find recent news, agency background, press releases, logos, and more resources.
Financials + Reports
Find our audited financials, 990s and annual reports.
Events

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Nikki Leonard

Our latest news

News Conference: Wake ThreeSchool Expansion

May 30, 2025

Wake ThreeSchool Early Learning Program doubles in size, helps parents stay in the workforce.

May 30, 2025

ThreeSchool program growing in Wake County

May 30, 2025

Connect With Us:

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Family Support Connection Tool
Wake Pre-K
Wake ThreeSchool
Board Portal
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Donate now

Parent/Guardian

Wake Pre-K
Wake ThreeSchool
At Home + Group Support
Quality Child Care
Early Literacy
Find WCSS in the Community

EC Professional

Improve Your Child Care Facility
Professional Development
Become a Pre-K or ThreeSchool Classroom
Pre-K Toolkit
ThreeSchool Toolkit

Community Partners

Current Funded Partners
Become a Funded Partner
Funded Partner Toolkit
Wake Connections Partners
Become an Outreach Partner

Resources

EC Professional Resources
Transition to Kindergarten
Newsletters + Reports
Health + Wellness

4901 Waters Edge Dr, Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 851-9550
info@wakesmartstart.org

WCSS prepares children, birth-5, for success in kindergarten and life ahead.

4901 Waters Edge Dr, Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 851-9550
info@wakesmartstart.org

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