Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program Opens Enrollment for Upcoming 2025-26 School Year While Current Year Enrollment Continues
Colorado Families Can Now Apply for Free Preschool
Table of Contents
- Colorado Families Can Now Apply for Free Preschool
- Colorado families Embrace Universal Preschool, Saving Thousands and Expanding Access
- Colorado’s Early Childhood Education System Gets a Boost with New Funding and Initiatives
- Colorado Families Welcome Universal Preschool: A Year of Savings and Success
DENVER (Dec. 17, 2024) — The request window for Colorado’s groundbreaking Universal Preschool Program is officially open! Starting at noon today, December 17, 2024, families can apply to secure up to 15 hours of free, high-quality preschool for their children in the year before kindergarten.
“Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program is truly raising the bar for early childhood education – for children, parents, and our economy,” said Governor Jared Polis. “Along with saving families an average of $6,100, recent research shows how state-funded universal preschool programs help parents stay in the workforce, access more paid child care hours, and earn up to 20% more each year. Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program not only saves Colorado families money, it drives our state’s economy and earliest learners forward to thrive for years to come.”
How to Enroll
Families can easily apply at UPK.Colorado.Gov and follow these simple steps:
1. Explore providers: Browse profiles of over 2,000 licensed programs across Colorado.2. Submit an Application: Select your preferred providers and submit your application by the deadlines:
February 3: Pre-registration for families continuing care with a current provider, with a sibling enrolled, or family member employed.
february 5: First family-provider matching round.
March 5: Final family-provider matching round.
3. Accept a Match: Families will be notified to accept or decline their match between:
February 3 – February 10: (pre-registration)
february 24 – March 3: (first round)
March 24 – March 31: (final round)
4. Finalize Enrollment: Complete registration directly with your chosen provider.
Families can also directly enroll with providers after matching rounds end, throughout the school year as space is available, providing greater versatility and access.
A Program Making a Difference
“Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program shows what’s possible when we prioritize young learners,” said Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Early Childhood. “High-quality preschool opportunities strengthen families and drive our communities forward.”
The program has already made a significant impact:
Families saved an average of $6,100 for a combined total of $239 million in the first year.
Nearly seven out of 10 eligible four-year-olds in Colorado (68.7%) were served, highlighting Colorado as a leader compared to the national average of 35% enrollment in state-funded preschool programs.
Building on Success
The Universal Preschool Program continues to evolve and improve:
Expanded hours are available for families considered to be living in poverty by federal guidelines.
Increased language access with applications now available in 11 languages and interpreters available in over 100 languages.
* Enhanced support for preschoolers with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) through a Direct Placement pathway.”We’re committed to meeting the diverse needs of Colorado families,” said Dawn Odean, Universal Preschool Program Director. “From expanded services to multilingual support, we’re always evolving to ensure every child can thrive.”
For the 2025-26 school year, the program will launch a Provider Resource Bank to support providers in meeting updated quality standards and a centralized contact center offering online, email, and phone support, including access to interpreters in over 100 languages.
Don’t miss this prospect to give your child the gift of a high-quality early education. Apply today at UPK.colorado.Gov!
Colorado families Embrace Universal Preschool, Saving Thousands and Expanding Access
denver, CO – Colorado’s Universal preschool (UPK) program is making waves across the state, offering families significant financial relief while expanding access to quality early childhood education.The program, which launched in August 2023, provides 10 hours of free preschool per week for all Colorado 4-year-olds, saving families an average of $6,100 annually.
“This program is a game-changer for our family,” said Sarah Miller, a Denver mother of two. “The cost of preschool was a huge burden, and now we can finally breathe a little easier. My son is thriving in his new classroom, and it’s amazing to see how much he’s learning.”
The program’s success is evident in its high enrollment numbers. Nearly 2,000 providers statewide are participating, offering families a wide range of choices. A streamlined enrollment process, including multi-pathway options and direct enrollment with providers, ensures families can easily access care year-round.
expanding access and Quality
UPK is constantly evolving to meet the needs of families and providers.Key updates for the 2024-25 program year include:
Expanded Access: A new qualifying factor for children in poverty has increased eligibility for full-day services, ensuring more families can benefit from the program.
Improved Quality Standards: Developed in partnership with stakeholders, these standards aim to enhance teacher qualifications, instructional practices, and family engagement.
* Streamlined Enrollment: Multi-pathway processes make it easier for families to register and access care year-round.
Supporting Providers and Families
The program prioritizes collaboration with providers, families, and partners to ensure its success. A Resource Bank launching in 2025 will provide tools,templates,and training to help providers meet quality standards. Increased clarity through the UPK website allows families to easily access information about programs, highlighting the value of community-based options.
“We are committed to working hand-in-hand with providers to ensure they have the resources and support they need to thrive,” said a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). “We beleive that strong partnerships are essential to creating a high-quality early childhood education system for all Colorado children.”
Looking Ahead
UPK is poised to make a lasting impact on Colorado’s children and families. By providing access to quality early education, the program is helping to close the achievement gap, prepare children for success in school, and support working families.
For more information about UPK, including how to apply and find a participating provider, visit UPK.Colorado.Gov.
[Image: A photo of children happily engaged in a preschool classroom activity.]
Colorado’s Early Childhood Education System Gets a Boost with New Funding and Initiatives
Denver, CO – colorado’s youngest learners are set to benefit from a wave of new funding and innovative initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s early childhood education system.
The influx of resources comes as part of a comprehensive plan to address the growing need for accessible, high-quality early childhood care and education across the state.
“Investing in our youngest children is investing in Colorado’s future,” said Governor Jared Polis in a recent statement. “These new initiatives will help ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.”
Expanding Access and Affordability
One of the key focuses of the plan is expanding access to affordable early childhood education. The state is increasing funding for the Colorado Child care Assistance Program (CCAP), which helps low-income families afford childcare costs.
In addition,the state is working to streamline the licensing process for childcare providers,making it easier for new programs to open and serve more families.
Prioritizing Quality and Support
Beyond access, the plan emphasizes the importance of high-quality early learning experiences. The state is investing in professional development opportunities for early childhood educators, helping them enhance their skills and knowledge.”We know that high-quality early childhood education has a profound impact on a child’s development,” said [Name], Executive Director of the Colorado department of early Childhood. “These investments will help ensure that our youngest learners have the best possible start in life.”
The state is also collaborating with industry partners to develop innovative solutions for workforce challenges, training accessibility, and cost efficiencies. This collaborative approach aims to create a more enduring and robust early childhood education system.
advocating for Long-Term Sustainability
Recognizing the need for ongoing support, the state is advocating for sustainable funding and streamlined administrative processes. This includes working with lawmakers to ensure that early childhood education remains a priority in the state budget.
“We are committed to building a world-class early childhood education system in Colorado,” said Governor Polis. “These initiatives are just the beginning of our journey.”
Measuring Quality and Empowering Families
Colorado utilizes the Colorado Shines rating system to assess the quality of participating early childhood programs.While participation in the rating system is not mandatory, families can use these ratings, along with other factors, to make informed decisions about their child’s care.The new funding and initiatives represent a significant step forward for Colorado’s early childhood education system. By prioritizing access, quality, and sustainability, the state is laying the foundation for a brighter future for its youngest citizens.
Colorado Families Welcome Universal Preschool: A Year of Savings and Success
[Denver, Colorado] – NewsDirectory3.com speaks with dr. Lisa Roy,Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood,to discuss the resounding success of the state’s pioneering Universal Preschool (UPK) programme one year since its launch. The program, which offers up to 15 hours of free, high-quality preschool to all four-year-olds in Colorado, has become a national model for accessible early childhood education.
NewsDirectory3: Dr. Roy, the UPK program has been hailed a important step forward for Colorado families, can you share some key highlights from its first year?
Dr. Roy: Absolutely. The response to the UPK program has been overwhelmingly positive. In its inaugural year, nearly 70% of eligible four-year-olds enrolled, significantly outpacing the national average of 35% for state-funded preschool programs. This translates to tens of thousands of Colorado children benefiting from high-quality early learning experiences.
NewsDirectory3: The program promises significant financial relief for families. Can you elaborate on this?
Dr. Roy : Families across Colorado are experiencing significant savings thanks to the UPK program. the average family has saved $6,100 annually on preschool costs, totaling an impressive $239 million saved collectively in the first year alone. This financial relief allows families to invest in other essential necessities, from housing to healthcare.
NewsDirectory3: Beyond the financial benefits, how is UPK impacting the overall well-being of children and families?
Dr. Roy: We’re seeing remarkable outcomes. Early childhood education is crucial for a child’s growth, and UPK is laying a strong foundation for future academic success. We’re seeing children thrive in engaging learning environments, developing crucial social and emotional skills, and preparing for kindergarten with confidence. For parents, the program provides peace of mind knowing their children are receiving high-quality care, enabling them to participate fully in the workforce.
NewsDirectory3: What are some of the key developments and improvements for the upcoming year?
Dr. Roy: We are continuously working to refine and strengthen the UPK program. For 2024-25, we’re excited to launch a Provider Resource Bank, which will offer essential support and resources to providers.We’re also establishing a centralized Contact Center, offering multilingual support to ensure families have easy access to information and assistance. we’ve expanded eligibility for full-day services to children considered impoverished, further enhancing accessibility for families in need.
NewsDirectory3: What message do you have for Colorado families considering the UPK program?
Dr. Roy: The UPK program represents a transformative investment in our children’s future and our state’s prosperity.I encourage every eligible family to apply. Give your child the gift of a high-quality early education, and witness the profound impact it has on their life and yours.
the request window for the 2024-25 school year is now open. Visit UPK.Colorado.Gov for more information and to submit your application.