Early Learning

Seattle Public Schools Early Learning

At Seattle Public Schools our Early Learning vision is that all families and children have access to high-quality, culturally responsive, and inclusive learning experiences from preschool through fifth grade.

Research has firmly established that investing in early learning yields powerful benefits for children, both in early elementary and as a cornerstone to their overall educational success with life long benefits.

High-quality preschool programs have the potential to close opportunity gaps, provide substantial learning gains, and prepare children for success in the kindergarten classroom and beyond.

Every child deserves high-quality instruction that meets their individual needs. Early childhood education promotes the holistic development of a child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.

Important Dates

Outreach Events & School Tours

November – January Outreach and Enrollment Events
Jan. 10 SPS Enrollment Fair
Jan. 31 Registration Fair
January – February Tours at Participating SPS Elementary, PK-8, and K-8 Schools:

Preschool Enrollment

March 16 Seattle Preschool Program and Head Start Enrollment Open
Jan. 5 EEU Preschool Enrollment Open

Choice Enrollment Period

Jan. 5 Open Enrollment for K-12 School Choice Begins
Jan. 5-31 Priority School Choice Applications
March 31 School Choice Forms Accepted Until

Kindergarten Enrollment

Children turning 5 by Aug. 31 SPS Kindergarten Enrollment
Jan. 5 EEU Kindergarten Enrollment Applications Open

Results, Transitions, and Connections

June 1 EEU Preschool Results
Released following open enrollment EEU Kindergarten Results
Late August – Early September Kindergarten Transition Activities
Sept. 3-5 Preschool & Kindergarten Family Connections
Nov. 24-26 Family-Teacher Conferences
March 19-20 SPP and Head Start Spring Conferences

Start of School

Sept. 8 First Day of School for Preschool and Kindergarten

Family Connection Conferences

Preschool and Kindergarten Family Connection Conferences

These one-on-one meetings, held during the first short week of school, are intended to welcome Preschool and Kindergarten families to school and provide a safe environment for families to speak freely with the teacher, share information about their child, and ask questions. Learn more about Family Connections.

Childcare Options

Finding a quality childcare arrangement for your child is a big decision for families. We have collected a list of childcare providers who provide before and after school childcare as well as preschool programs at schools in the district.

Please contact the provider directly to learn more about enrollment and their programs. Read more about school-based Childcare Providers.