By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medim
Last week, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) celebrated the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, marking a milestone for the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP). This year, more than 1,850 children are enrolled in SPP, which is funded by the 2018 Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy. The levy aims to achieve educational equity, close opportunity gaps, and build a brighter economic future for Seattle students.
“Our early learning educators are passionate about the work they do and dedicated to all the families they serve. I know they are eager to meet every student, provide a safe learning environment, and give working parents peace of mind,” said Leilani Dela Cruz, Early Learning Director at the Department of Education and Early Learning.
For the 2024-25 school year, SPP is partnering with 27 organizations, operating 99 preschool sites and 154 classrooms across the city. In an effort to expand access to high-quality preschool, Mayor Harrell added 17 new classrooms this year, increasing the number of available seats by 318, with the goal of serving nearly 2,500 children citywide.
“We have built and fostered a community at First Place Doreen Cato Preschool. I tell parents this is a place away from home for their children to learn and grow socially and emotionally. Our SPP teachers create a safe and welcoming environment for our littlest learners. Some students need stability, especially those experiencing housing instability or trauma. At First Place, we ensure all children receive love, encouragement, and the tools to succeed and graduate to kindergarten,” said Carolyn Brown, Early Learning Director at First Place Doreen Cato Preschool.
The Seattle Preschool Program prepares three- and four-year-olds for kindergarten through partnerships with community-based organizations, family child care providers, and Seattle Public Schools. SPP offers dual-language classrooms, extended daycare options, and educators trained to serve children with behavioral or developmental needs.
“The Seattle Preschool Program gives all of Seattle’s children an opportunity to learn and grow. Preschool is critical for social-emotional learning and developing the skills to become self-reliant and confident. The investments from the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy also support teachers in delivering high-quality instruction, expanding new classrooms, and—importantly—offering tuition assistance to give working parents peace of mind,” said Councilmember Maritza Rivera, Chair of the Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee.
In agreement with Rivera, Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director of the Department of Education and Early Learning, emphasized the program’s focus on equitable access.
“Investing in our city’s future leaders starts with high-quality preschool programs and welcoming early learning environments. The Seattle Preschool Program provides equitable access for all of Seattle’s children, regardless of background, zip code, or household income,” said Chappelle.
According to the latest data for the 2024-25 school year:
• 1,896 preschoolers are currently enrolled in SPP.
• 76% of available SPP seats are filled.
• 590 seats remain open for the school year.
• 62% of children enrolled in SPP are receiving free tuition.
The city is investing up to $3.5 million in SPP classroom expansion for this school year. With funding from the voter-approved FEPP Levy, SPP is on track to serve 2,500 children by 2026.
To kick off the school year, SPP educators gathered on August 19 at City Hall for DEEL’s Pre-Service Institute, which returned to an in-person format for the first time since 2019. Over 300 early childhood educators participated in workshops under the theme “Nurturing Relationships in the Early Childhood Ecosystem.”
Since its inception in 2015, SPP has served more than 6,750 three- and four-year-olds. In 2023, the program received a gold medal from the National Institute for Early Education Research for its strong performance in areas such as health screenings and referrals, content-rich curriculum, teacher qualifications, and accessibility for a large percentage of children in the city.
An evaluation report from DEEL highlighted the program’s impact, showing that 75% of students served by SPP in the 2023-24 school year identified as BIPOC. The report also noted that children who attended SPP during the 2017-18 school year met standards in third-grade reading and math at higher rates compared to their peers who did not attend preschool.
“This is an exciting milestone for the Seattle Preschool Program, which provides accessible, affordable, and inclusive early learning opportunities so that our youngest learners have the skills they need to succeed in their academic journey and in life,” said Mayor Harrell. “I encourage all Seattle families with young children to take advantage of this incredible program and put your child on a pathway to a bright, prosperous future.”
