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Seattle Preschool Program adds second group of preschool providers

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The City’s Department of Education and Early Learning is excited to announce that it has selected a new group of preschools to join the Seattle Preschool Program this fall.

The Seattle Preschool Program is a tax-payer supported pilot program to create universal preschool for Seattle’s youngest learners. During the 2015-16 school year, its first year of operations, the program partnered with community preschools and Seattle Public Schools to provide high-quality, affordable preschool at 15 classrooms across the city. This September, four additional preschools will add another nine classrooms for children.

The new providers were selected by a panel of City staff and community members through a request for investment process. The chosen programs are Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWa), Primm ABC Child Care Center, Seed of Life Center, and Children’s Home Society. These programs join Sound Child Care Solutions, Community Day School Association, Creative Kids, Seattle Public Schools, and Causey’s Learning Center.

Monica Liang-Aguirre, Director of Early Learning for the City of Seattle, commented, “We are so lucky to have such dedicated, incredible preschool partners. Their commitment to bringing culturally competent, high-quality preschool to Seattle’s children has been many years in the making, and we are thrilled to join our efforts and extend these opportunities to children who need them.”

The addition of these new providers will increase the number of Seattle Preschool Program classrooms open this fall to 24. Additional classrooms may also be added through other community partners and/or the Seattle Public Schools. Each classroom serves 18 to 20 children. The teachers in these classrooms receive special training in one of two curriculums approved for the program and ongoing coaching provided by the City.

The Seattle Preschool Program’s next step in preparation for its second year is to enroll students. The program will be accepting applications starting February 5, and the selection of students will begin on March 11.

Families can find the application at schools, community centers, libraries, and on the City’s website (www.seattle.gov/education).

Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning invests funds in schools and community-based education organizations in order to ensure that all children in Seattle are able to start school ready to learn, and graduate on time, prepared for college or career.