Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan recently announced the expansion of the Seattle Preschool Program into at least 22 additional classrooms for the 2018 – 2019 school year, which will serve at least 1,400 children across the City in more than 76 classrooms. In addition, she celebrated the launch of its application cycle for the next school year.
As applications open for the Seattle Preschool Program Pilot, the program will exceed its goal of 75 classrooms. The additional 22 classrooms will increase the geographic diversity of the program, with significant growth in neighborhoods throughout Seattle, allowing families in more areas access to high-quality preschools near their homes.
“When we support kids and families through early learning programs, our children in all parts of the city and from all backgrounds can reach their full potential,” said Durkan. “The Seattle Preschool Program is reducing the barriers facing low-income families by investing in high quality early learning to help close the opportunity gap. Developing strong cognitive, emotional, and language development in our youngest learners is a giant step toward creating success in schools for years to come.”
In 2014, Seattle voters approved Proposition 1B (Ordinance 124509) to fund a four-year pilot of the Seattle Preschool Program. The Seattle Preschool Program helps prepare children to enter school with the skills they need to succeed. Research shows that children who attend high quality preschool programs have better academic and life outcomes: they’re more likely to have better grades, graduate, attend college, get a job, have higher lifetime wages and better mental and physical health.
“Preschool is one of the most powerful tools we have to change the trajectory of a child’s life,” said Department of Education and Early Learning Director Dwane Chappelle. “Expanding Seattle’s commitment to affordable, high quality preschool throughout the City is how we deliver for our kids.”
Applications are now open for all 4-year-olds in the city regardless of family income level. Three-year-old children whose families meet income eligibility requirements are also welcome to apply at this time. Visit seattle.gov/applyspp to check out our new sites and apply to the Seattle Preschool Program.
“If education is to help all of our kids fulfill their potential, the opportunity gap and readiness gap that begins for our kids before kindergarten must be addressed,” said Councilmember M. Lorena González and chair of the Gender Equity, Safe Communities, New Americans, and Education committee. “The Seattle Pre-School Program has shown it can help close this gap for children who come from families of color or are from low-income families with strong kindergarten readiness in six of the most important domains for children age five. City Council, along with the rest of City leadership, is committed to working to expand early learning for all of our little learners.”
