Preschool is a big step for little learners, and families often have just as many questions as their children. What will the school day look like? Is my child old enough? Where do we begin? Douglas County School District (DCSD) offers a welcoming place to start.
In nearly 70 preschool classrooms across the district, children learn through play, exploration and relationships. A day might include stories, creative activities and time to practice sharing, listening and solving problems with friends. Teachers support each child’s language, physical, social and early academic development. Classrooms include children with a range of learning needs, giving students opportunities to learn alongside one another. Learn more about DCSD preschool.
What age can children start? DCSD offers preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds. Three-year-olds attend morning Monday - Thursday sessions, while 4-year-olds attend afternoon sessions Monday - Friday. Families of children with developmental concerns can also learn about DCSD’s Child Find services.
In the year before kindergarten, Colorado’s Universal Preschool program provides eligible children with as many as 15 hours of state-funded preschool each week. DCSD also offers a limited number of full-day options for qualifying 4-year-olds. Some 3-year-olds qualify for tuition-free preschool, while tuition-based options are available for others. Families can review the program details to see which option may fit.
All DCSD preschool programs have a Level 4 rating with Colorado Shines, which is Colorado’s quality rating and improvement system for early-learning programs. Colorado Shines considers areas such as children’s health and safety, staff qualifications, learning environments and family partnerships in its ratings. The Level 4 ratings – the highest possible – at every DCSD preschool site, give families assurance of the care and learning experiences offered in every classroom.
Ready to register? Start with DCSD’s Preschool Admissions page, which links to the current school year’s instructions and lists preschool locations. Families should also review the steps for Colorado Universal Preschool funding if they plan to use it. Be ready to provide a birth certificate, proof of residency, health appraisal and immunization records, along with other documents listed by DCSD.
Questions? Contact the DCSD Preschool Information Line at 720-433-0025 or preschool@dcsdk12.org. The preschool team can help your family navigate this exciting next chapter!
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