Expanding Access to High-Quality Preschool in Seattle

Seattle has made significant strides in expanding its preschool program, offering free and subsidized options to hundreds of families each school year. With around 600 open seats currently available, the city is actively working to reach underserved communities and ensure that all children have access to the educational foundation they need to thrive.

Unlocking Opportunities for Underserved Families

Reaching New Neighborhoods

Seattle's Early Learning Director, Leilani Dela Cruz, emphasizes the city's efforts to expand the program's reach. "We are still in the midst of doing a lot of outreach, informing the community that we have new classrooms," she explains. "We are trying to get into parts of the city that may not have had publicly funded preschool before." This strategic approach aims to bring high-quality preschool to areas that have historically lacked access to such resources.

Prioritizing Equity

The program's focus on serving the "highest-needs children first" reflects a commitment to addressing educational disparities. Dela Cruz notes that the majority of the program's classrooms are located in Seattle's south end and the Lake City area, which have traditionally experienced lower test scores and fewer high-quality preschool options. "We wanted to serve the highest-needs children first, even though our program is open to anyone," she says. "We know where there is a higher concentration of [Black, Indigenous, and people of color] communities and low-income communities, so that's one of the reasons we started in the south end."

Expanding the Preschool Landscape

The program's expansion strategy involves both creating new preschool classrooms and integrating existing preschools that may have lacked the necessary resources. "It was a little bit of a mix of creating new preschool[s], but also bringing into the fold preschools that already existed but just may not have had as [many resources] to produce kindergarten readiness," Dela Cruz explains. This multifaceted approach ensures that the program can effectively address the diverse needs of the community.

Tuition Accessibility

Recognizing the financial barriers that many families face, the program offers tuition on a sliding scale based on household income. Dela Cruz shares that about two-thirds of the students attend the program for free, making it accessible to a wide range of families.

Flexible Enrollment

Families can enroll their children in the program at any time, as long as there are still available seats. This flexibility allows the program to accommodate the diverse needs and schedules of the community.

Measuring Success and Identifying Challenges

Initial data from the program suggests that it has been particularly successful in helping Black children and English-language learners develop the academic and social-emotional skills needed for kindergarten. However, Dela Cruz acknowledges that the program has been less successful in preparing Latino students and students with individualized education programs. "We're trying to unpack how we can do better" for those groups, she says, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement and addressing the unique needs of all participants.

Expanding Reach and Accessibility

Looking ahead, the plan is to add more preschool classrooms in downtown, the Magnolia area, and the University District next year. This expansion will further increase the program's accessibility and ensure that more families can benefit from the high-quality early education it provides.Seattle's preschool program is a shining example of a city's dedication to investing in the future of its children. By prioritizing equity, expanding access, and continuously evaluating and refining its approach, the program is making significant strides in providing all children with the educational foundation they need to succeed.