ATTENTION:
 
The 2024-2025 School Year Application is Now Open. Will your child be 3 or 4 years old by September 1st, 2025? If so, now is the time to apply for fall preschool enrollment!

   
​What is the preschool application process?

Are you ready to apply for a preschool program for your 3- or 4-year-old? Learn about the process here or call (312) 229-1690 with your questions. 

Learn More and Apply
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Program types:
Get an overview of each early childhood education program type or view more details about what each has to offer.


​Infants and Toddlers

Ages Birth to 2
​ These programs may also be referred to as Early Head Start, Prevention Initiative, or Early Intervention.
Who do they serve? Children aged birth to three years old from qualifying families
What do they provide?

• Educational and social development activities.
• Programs may include free health services (medical, dental, mental health), nutritious meals, as well as parent education and training.

Find Sites

Preschool

Ages 3 and 4
 Preschool programs may be referred to as Universal Pre-kindergarten, Head Start or Child Care.
Who do they serve? Univeral Pre-kindergarten serves 4 year olds while all other preschool programs serve 3- and 4-year-old children from qualifying families.
What do they provide?

• Educational and social development activities that promote school readiness.
• Either a half-day or a full-day of instruction.
• Programs may include free health services (medical, dental, mental health), nutritious meals, as well as parent education and training.

Find Sites
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​Kindergarten

Age 5 Children who are 5 years old by September 1st of the current school year are eligible and encouraged to enroll in kindergarten at a Chicago Public Schools preschool. Visit the CPS website to enroll today!.

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Choosing the Right Program

Quality ratings for Chicago Early Learning programs, and programs across Illinois and the country, offer families more insight before they make final choices about a program for their child.

What does “Quality Rating” (QRIS) mean?

Quality Ratings are assessments of early learning programs used by Excelerate Illinois to help families understand program quality and help providers prioritize improvements. Excelerate Illinois, the state’s rating and improvement system, sets a research-based standard for early learning and development providers, reflected in its tiered Circles of Quality. The higher the tier, the more the program has made meaningful improvements that better the child for school and life. Reviewing a potential preschool program’s rating in Excelerate’s Circles of Quality can help Illinois families make a more informed decision for their child. More information can be found at ExcelerateIllinois.com.

What does "Accreditation" mean?

​Accreditation is another way of measuring and understanding early learning program quality; accredited status means that a program has met high standards of excellence determined by a national organization such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NEPCA), or the Council on Accreditation (COA). These quality standards measure areas such as teaching, curriculum, learning assessments, health, community relationships, physical environment, and management.
To learn more about accreditation of early learning programs and how such standards can help guide families searching for early learning programs, click on one of the following links:

National Association for the Education of Young Children
National Early Childhood Program Accreditation
Council on Accreditation


How much do Chicago Early Learning programs cost?

Some community-based preschool and birth – 3 programs are free to families, while other programs might require a co-pay due to state or local funding requirements. Contact the program directly once you have received an offer to learn more about what co-payments, if any, are required for your family. Depending on your family's gross income, family size, or other criteria, some families may be asked to pay a cost for preschool.
Children who are in a temporary living situation or who are receiving special education (IEP) service will not be charged.

Do Chicago Early Learning programs provide transportation?

Chicago Public Schools and community-based sites are not able to provide transportation to all early learning programs across the city. However, Chicago Early Learning encourages families to take advantage of public transit opportunities. Learn more at the CTA website