Preschool Enrollment

Preschool Enrollment 2023-24
Posted on 01/17/2023
Young children playing and learning

Welcome Back and Happy New Year! Our Early Learning Department is excited to announce several new preschool locations throughout Jeffco Public Schools that will support Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program (UPK). Here at Semper Elementary, we will have 1 classroom that will support half-day and 2 full-day programs supporting preschool students beginning in August 2023.  

Authentic, experience-based, and engaging learning begins in preschool. Jeffco preschools build a foundation of academic, social-emotional, and physical learning so children are ready for school and a thriving future in Kindergarten and beyond. Our programs are play-based and responsive to student needs so that children can be curious, joyful, and gain self-confidence while learning through inquiry and developing academic and social-emotional skills.

The Jeffco Public Schools Preschool Program will offer a wide variety of quality options for three and four-year-olds at multiple sites across the county in the 2023-24 school year. In all classrooms, our students experience academic and social-emotional core instruction and have access to services for English language learners, and identified special education needs. Other program options include International Baccalaureate, Expeditionary Learning and Dual Language which encompasses native language instruction.

Jeffco Public Schools Preschool Program offers half-day and full-day options for three and four-year-olds in many geographical areas across the district. Students turning three on or before October 1, 2023 are eligible to begin preschool. All programs are licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services and meet the Colorado Department of Education Quality Standards for Early Childhood Care and Education Services.

New This Year: Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program (UPK) 

Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado ensures that every child in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten is eligible for half-day (15 hours) of state-funded, voluntary preschool beginning in the 2023-23 school year. Three-year-olds with qualifying factors are eligible for part-time (10 hours) of preschool programming. 

Families of students in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, and qualifying 3-year-olds, are able to apply for UPK Colorado for the 2023-24 school year beginning on January 17.

  • Families can apply for two types of programs – half-day and full-day. Half-day (15 hours) of that program will go toward your total cost of care.

  • For example, if you are eligible for half-day, but need full-day care, the half-day portion is covered by UPK Colorado and the additional hours could be paid through Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) or parent pay. 

  • You can submit an application anytime once it opens on January 17. Applications at the beginning of the year will be processed in rounds. This allows the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to provide an equal opportunity for applicants to access providers of their choice. Once the rounds are completed, applications will be processed as they arrive.

  • View Jeffco Schools 2023-24 Preschool Sites that will provide Colorado's Universal Preschool Program.

Enrolling Your Student in Preschool – Applications Open January 17  

  • 4-Year-Olds (Students that turn 4 on or before October 1, 2023): Families will apply for preschool through the Universal Preschool Program (UPK) family portal (this will not open until January 17). Please Note: When applying through the UPK family portal, if your desired school or program is not listed, please return to EnrollJeffco to apply.

    • Create an account

    • Add information as needed

    • Select and rank their choice of providers

    • Families must provide proof of income if applying for additional hours

    • Review and submit the application  

  • 3-Year-Olds (Students that turn 3 on or before October 1, 2023): For all preschool programs at Jeffco neighborhood schools, charter schools, and option schools, families will apply for preschool through EnrollJeffco.   

If you have further questions about Jeffco’s Preschool Program and how to apply for Universal Preschool please contact Jeffco’s Early Learning Department. CONTACT Early Learning Department Phone: 303-982-1737 Email: JeffcoEarlyLearning@jeffco.k12.co.us

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