Early Learning and Play Opportunities
Young children are learning all the time. Many environments and situations, in addition to schools, provide fun, enriching activities to support that learning at any age. The following programs offer enrichment activities, school readiness support, free books and other literacy resources for children.
In addition, Durham Public Libraries and Durham Parks and Recreation offer a wealth of resources and low or no-cost programming for young children and their families. Check them out!
Book Harvest serves all children ages 0-to-18; the BookBabies program is available to any Medicaid-eligible child that enrolls by 16 weeks of age
Free books are available 24/7 at Book Harvest (2501 University Drive, Durham) and via Book Access Hubs throughout Durham (visit bookharvest.org to see locations).
Book Babies coaches visit enrolled families in their homes or virtually.
Cost:
Visit Book Harvest or any Book Harvest bookshelf or Book Box 24/7. The Family Space at Book Harvest is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 AM-5 PM (closed on holidays) and there is no cost to visit.
Follow Book Harvest on social media @bookharvestnc.
Every child under the age of 5 in Durham
Books are mailed directly to a child’s home each month
Cost:
Books will be in English with 2 Spanish/English books each year.
Contact Grace Brown at grace@dpfc.net. Families can register for DPIL online or by filling out a registration form and returning it to Durham’s Partnership for Children (1201 S. Briggs Ave., Ste. 100, Durham, NC 27703).
Low-income expectant women and families with newborns and children up to age 3; foster children, homeless children and children from families receiving public assistance as well as children with documented disabilities may be eligible regardless of income
Services are provided at home or various childcare centers in Durham
Cost:
Any child that is a resident of Durham County, regardless of income, that turns 4 by August 31 of their applying year
Visit durhamprek.org/families/site-locations for a full list of school pre-K sites, hours, and locations.
Cost:
Pre-k is free for any child whose family makes below 400% of the federal poverty level (for example, a family of 4 with an income below $119,999) and offers a sliding scale fee for all others. Visit https://durhamprek.org/dpk-sliding-scale/ for further details.
Application appointments are available in English and Spanish (other languages available by request).
Call 1-833-773-5338 to speak with our Bilingual PreK Information Desk or visit the enrollment page at https://durhamprek.org/dpk-application/
The Latinx Community
The Triangle
Cost:
Some of our programs are free and others have suggested donations (scholarships available).
Find out about opportunities and register at https://elcentronc.org/education or call our office at 919-435-4257.
Children starting at 6-weeks-old to 5-years-old who meet income eligibility as determined by Federal Poverty Guidelines
Please visit fcrinc.org to learn more about our services and view all of the FCR Head Start & Early Head Start locations.
Cost:
Call 919-688-5541 x 240 or visit fcrinc.org to fill out the application in English or Spanish.
First-time parents in Durham who are pregnant or have a baby up to 3 months old and parents living in the East Durham community who have a baby under 3 months of age
First-time parents in Durham who are pregnant or have a baby up to 3 months old and parents living in the East Durham community who have a baby under 3 months of age
Families participate in regular, weekly home visits for up to three years; visits may be made virtually during the pandemic, so please ask for specifics when you call
Cost:
Call Griffin Sloop, Intake Coordinator, at (919) 385-0759, to sign up or make a referral.
ISLA primarily serves first and second generation Spanish-speaking immigrants
Serving families from around the North Carolina Triangle Area, including Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Granville, Orange and Wake counties
Cost:
Call 919-265-7692 or visit our website: laislaschool.org
Anyone interested in science or nature education; the museum is a fun place for children and families to explore and spend time together
433 W. Murray Avenue, Durham, NC 27704
Cost:
FREE to Durham residents (proof required) on ‘Durham Community Days’
Visit the museum during its open hours. See lifeandscience.org for more information, including hours of operation and standard ticket prices.
Any parent or caregiver of a child up to age 9
Tips sent by text- wherever you are
Cost:
Text DPFC to 70138 to start receiving the weekly messages. Visit our website for additional information
English 
Spanish