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Posts categorized under Preschool (Ages 3-4) Archives - What's the DEEL?

Children’s Funding Project Highlights Seattle and National Voter-Approved Children’s Funds

Since 2018, DEEL has participated in Children’s Funding Project’s voter-approved children’s fund community of practice. The community of practice connects DEEL with a national network of more than 25 peer cities and counties who steward local funding to benefit children, youth, and families. Participants share best practices for service delivery, legislative advocacy, grant-making, evaluation, and more.

Celebrating 10 Years of Seattle Preschool Program Growth and Kindergarten Readiness 

SPP meets FEPP Levy expansion target of 2,500 with 90% enrollment rate This school year, the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of providing early childhood education and preparing 11,421 of Seattle’s 3- and 4-year-olds for kindergarten.   Following voter support for the 2014 Seattle… [ Keep reading ]

DEEL awards over $500K to five Seattle Preschool Program early learning centers to improve facilities 

The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is awarding approximately $530,000 to five Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) providers to improve and expand facilities serving the city’s youngest learners.

Eligible Seattle Preschool Program families to receive free ORCA cards this school year, in partnership with Seattle’s Department of Transportation

SDOT and DEEL are partnering for a third year to provide eligible Seattle Preschool Program families with no-cost ORCA cards to help meet their transportation needs.

DEEL Celebrates Nearly 1,300 Seattle Preschool Program Graduates 

Over 1,275 SPP participants graduated in June for the 2024-25 school year, marking their completion of preschool and readiness to transition to kindergarten.

Seattle Recognized in Top Four Cities Prioritizing Children, Families, and Child Care Workforce

Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) is being recognized for its Seattle Preschool Program by the National League of Cities (NLC) for expanding access to high-quality early learning opportunities. DEEL is among a cohort of four cities which include Boston, MA, Hartford, CT, and Jacksonville, FL highlighted for early… [ Keep reading ]

Award-Winning Seattle Preschool Program Expanding for 2025-26 School Year 

The Seattle Preschool Program is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year – classes begin in September!  

DEEL Awards $805K to Six Child Care Centers to Improve Seattle Preschool Program Facilities 

The Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) announced $805,000 in funding for facilities improvements at six Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) providers.

February 2025: Celebrating Thriving Black Communities Past, Present and Future

In honor of Black Futures Month, DEEL celebrates our many Black-led partner organizations and the Black youth and families they serve. From prenatal to preschool, K-12 to postsecondary, DEEL investments promote positive outcomes for our communities furthest from educational justice. DEEL partnerships prioritize culturally specific and responsive, high-quality learning environments… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle Preschool Program Wins Third National Gold Medal for High-Quality, Accessible Early Learning Programming 

The Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) has received a third gold medal for high-quality preschool programming. This is the seventh year SPP has received national recognition.