Preschool and Kindergarten
Seattle Public Schools Preschool and Kindergarten Information
Headstart Preschool
We Provide:
- Full-day and half-day programs in elementary schools in Seattle!
- Transportation to/from school (within boundariesAll attendance area schools have a geographic boundary which defines who is)
- Inclusive classrooms for children of all abilities
- School readiness and smooth transitions to Kindergarten
- Family Support, Health and Nutrition services!
- Meals included!
We Serve:
- Children who are 4 or 3 by August 31st
- Income eligible families (meeting Federal Poverty Guidelines)
- Foster Children
- Homeless families
- Families receiving TANF/Working Connections/SSI
To enroll, call us! Early Learning Department 206-252-0960
Preparing for Kindergarten
Helping Your Child Prepare for Kindergarten
Parents and families have a very important role as their child’s first teacher. Children learn in different ways and at different rates. They come to school with varying skills. These guidelines highlight some of the skills children need to be prepared for kindergarten in six developmental areas. The list below suggests ways to work with your child to help him/her be more ready for school.
Parents and families have a very important role as their child’s first teacher. Children learn in different ways and at different rates. They come to school with varying skills. You’ll notice that a child who is ready for kindergarten has skills in many distinct areas, such as:
- Self-care and getting along with others
- Physical abilities like moving and handling a pencil or crayon, a fork or chopsticks
- Listening and speaking
- Thinking and problem solving
- Recognizing letters and their sounds, and playing with words
- Counting and sorting; recognizing shapes and sizes
- Personal safety and awareness of one’s name, home address, etc.
The six areas and the individual skills are drawn from the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) , which teachers used to assess children at the beginning of the school year.
Public Libraries
Reading, talking and singing with your child is an easy way to build their vocabulary and help them get ready for school. Visiting public libraries, even before children can read, helps them to love and appreciate language books, and other media. Libraries provide free virtual story times and activities in different languages. Checking out books and music is free. You can get a library card for your child from birth onward. Visit your local public library for more information.
Kindergarten begins with Jump Start
August 15 – 19, 2022 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Registration for Jump StartJump Start is a free transition to kindergarten program offered at most at your child’s school in May 2022
What is Jump Start?
Jump StartJump Start is a free transition to kindergarten program offered at most is a FREE week-long experience to welcome new kindergartners and their families to Seattle Public Schools. Children meet their peers and school staff and get to know the school. Our goal is for all students start school feeling safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Where is Jump Start Offered?
Most Seattle elementary and K-8s offer Jump StartJump Start is a free transition to kindergarten program offered at most. Please ask your school if they will participate. Children must be assigned to a participating school (not on a waitlistSchools (and programs) have waitlists when more students request the school (or) to attend Jump StartJump Start is a free transition to kindergarten program offered at most there. Schools will offer bilingual help to English language learners and extra support to children with special needs.
Will Jump Start be held in-person?
We plan to hold Jump StartJump Start is a free transition to kindergarten program offered at most in person, but your school will contact you if this changes. Families drop off and pick up their child–no school bus transportation is offered. Breakfast and lunch are provided free.
When and how do we sign up for Jump Start?
Each school will send Jump StartJump Start is a free transition to kindergarten program offered at most information to its new families in the spring. Call your school if you have questions.
Please call your child’s school before Jump StartJump Start is a free transition to kindergarten program offered at most if:
- your child needs medicine or health procedures at school
- your child has an IEP or needs extra support
- your family needs help with transportation or child care