It’s time to apply to MPS kindergarten programs. Here’s how the process works.

Beginning Saturday, thousands of Milwaukee families will register their children for kindergarten programs that start this fall. Those who sign up early have the best chance of getting their top choice.

Families can learn more about the programs offered by Milwaukee Public Schools at an enrollment fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at South Division High School, 1515 W. Lapham Blvd. The fair will also offer children's activities, vaccines from the Milwaukee Health Department and prizes for the earliest registrants.

Most Milwaukee public schools offer 5-year-old kindergarten (5K) and 4-year-old kindergarten (4K). Some schools also offer 3-year-old kindergarten (3K). Learn more at mpsmke.com/enrolltoday.

Students who are already enrolled in an MPS school are automatically enrolled at that school for the following year. The February enrollment period is for families who are enrolling in a new school for kindergarten, elementary or middle school. High school enrollment starts further in advance, opening in fall for the following year.

Here’s how the kindergarten enrollment process works.

How old do children have to be for MPS kindergarten programs?

MPS has kindergarten programs for children who are age 3, 4 or 5 by Sept. 1 of the year they begin school.

How do you enroll in MPS kindergarten?

The first enrollment period for families to apply to MPS kindergarten programs is from Feb. 3 to March 4. Enrolling during this period gives families the best chance of getting into the school of their choice.

For those who miss the first enrollment period, enrollment reopens April 10; it just might be harder to snag a top-choice school.

To enroll online, families with children who've already attended a MPS school can do so through Infinite Campus, while families who are new to the district can enroll through a separate link on the district website.

Alternatively, families may be able to enroll in person at an MPS school. They can also contact the district enrollment office at 414-475-8159, or attend the Saturday enrollment fair.

What about Head Start?

Head Start is a federally funded preschool program for children from lower-income families. While Head Start can be found at 39 MPS schools, there are also Head Start programs offered by United Community Center, Next Door Foundation and other organizations. All locations can be found on the Head Start website.

Families are eligible for Head Start if their income falls below certain levels based on their family size. For a family of three, the maximum annual income is $24,860. Families can register year-round through MPS or another provider.

MPS offers full-day Head Start programs, including bilingual options, for children who are 3 or 4 years old on Sept. 1 of the year they start. The program is meant to prepare children for kindergarten.

What about private and charter schools?

Families interested in private schools and most charter schools will go through different application processes.

Last year, over 4,000 children enrolled in K3 and K4 though the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, a tax-funded program that allows lower-income families to attend private schools for free. The application period for that program opens in February for all ages.

Many charter schools have their own application processes. A list of all charter schools can be found on the state Department of Public Instruction website. The Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools also maintains a directory of charter schools and their specialties.

Milwaukee charter schools that start in K4 include: Bruce Guadalupe, Central City Cyberschool, Darrell Lynn Hines Academy, La Casa de Esperanza, Milwaukee Academy of Science, Milwaukee Scholars, Rocketship, Seeds of Health, Stellar Collegiate and Woodlands.

Milwaukee charter schools that start in K3 include: Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes, Downtown Montessori, Highland Community School, Hmong American Peace Academy, Honey Creek Elementary, Individualized Developmental Educational Approaches to Learning, La Causa, Milwaukee College Preparatory School, Milwaukee Environmental Science Academy, Next Door and Whittier Elementary.

How do you choose a MPS school for kindergarten?

Families enrolling at MPS must select their top three school choices. Families may pick schools based on location or specialty programs.

Some MPS schools are considered "neighborhood" schools, and they prioritize seats for families who live nearby. Others are called "citywide specialty schools," and they can have different ways of deciding who gets in.

Families can find schools near them, and schools with specialty programs, with the MPS "Find a School" tool. Programs include: bilingual education, language immersion, Montessori education, arts and technology.

Is kindergarten required?

While Wisconsin law does not require children to enroll in kindergarten, it does prohibit public schools from enrolling students in first grade who have not completed kindergarten. In some cases, children can skip kindergarten if they get an exemption or plan to attend a private school or homeschool.

K3 and K4 programs for 3- and 4-year-olds are optional.

Do MPS kindergarten programs provide meals and transportation?

MPS provides free breakfast and lunch for all students.

MPS provides busing for most students, depending on location. Generally, a young student is provided a school bus if they live at least a mile from their school and within the school's transportation region. Families can check eligibility on the MPS website or by calling 414-475-8922.

Contact Rory Linnane at rory.linnane@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @RoryLinnane.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When and how to sign up for MPS kindergarten programs in Milwaukee