Our Children, Our City, Our Future.
Choose the program that's right for your family! There are high-quality early education options for every child from prenatal through 5 years old in every Chicago neighborhood.
Program Types
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Programs
Age Group: 4 year olds with limited half-day spots for 3 year olds.
Many CPS elementary schools offer early learning programs as a part of their services.
Community-Based Programs (Prenatal to Age 5)
Age Group: Prenatal to Age Five
Community-Based Early Learning and Preschool Programs include Head Start, Early Head Start, Infant-Toddler programs, Home-Visiting Programs and Doula Programs. Hours vary by site.
Head Start and Early Head Start Programs
Community-Based Preschool and Early Learning Programs include, Head Start, Early Head Start programs which also include Prevention Initiative, or Early Intervention services. All Head Start and Early Head Start programs offer free health services (medical, dental, mental health), nutritious meals, as well as parent education and training.
To learn more visit our Community-Based Programs page here.
FIND A HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM
Ages Birth to 2
Infants and Toddlers
Community-Based Preschool and Early Learning Programs include Early Head Start, Prevention Initiative, or Early Intervention.
What do they provide?
- Educational and social development activities that promote school readiness.
- Head Start and Early Head Start Programs include free health services (medical, dental, mental health), nutritious meals, as well as parent education and training.
Need more information? Visit our Community-Based Programs page here.
Ages 3 and 4
Preschool
High-quality preschool programs are offered at both CPS Pre-Ks and Community-Based Preschool and Early Learning Programs with dedicated and accredited educators.
What do they provide?
- Educational and social development activities that promote school readiness.
- Either a half-day or a full-day of instruction.
- Head Start programs include free health services (medical, dental, mental health), nutritious meals, as well as parent education and training.
Need more information? Visit CPS’ Pre-K Programs page here.
Ages 3 and 4
Preschool
High-quality preschool programs are offered at both CPS Pre-Ks and Community-Based Preschool and Early Learning Programs with dedicated and accredited educators.
What do they provide?
- Educational and social development activities that promote school readiness.
- Either a half-day or a full-day of instruction.
- Head Start programs include free health services (medical, dental, mental health), nutritious meals, as well as parent education and training.
Need more information? Visit CPS’ Pre-K Programs page here.
CPS New Enrollment Policy for Full Day 4-Year-Olds
Prioritized Points in Order:
1. Socioeconomic factors
Includes children in foster care, families in temporary living situations, and families with incomes below 100% FPL.
2. Siblings
Pre-K applicants applying to the same school where a sibling is currently enrolled in grades Pre-K through 8.
3. Kindergarten attendance area
Families applying to attend a child's kindergarten attendance area school.
4. Proximity
Families who live within 1.5 miles of the program.
Home Visiting Programs
Not sure if you're ready for your child to attend an in-person program? Look into our Home Visiting Program options, provided by Community-Based Preschool and Early Learning Programs, and Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Home Visiting Programs are available to qualifying families of children age 3 and under. Certified coaches provide early care and consulting in the family's home. Find a program that offers home visiting by selecting 'Home Visiting' under 'Program Features' from the search filters.
Home Visiting Programs
Not sure if you're ready for your child to attend an in-person program? Look into our Home Visiting Program options, provided by Community-Based Preschool and Early Learning Programs, and Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Home Visiting Programs are available to qualifying families of children age 3 and under. Certified coaches provide early care and consulting in the family's home. Find a program that offers home visiting by selecting 'Home Visiting' under 'Program Features' from the search filters.
Think your child may need special education services?
For CPS Pre-K Programs
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed for each public school child who needs specialized services. If you suspect that your child may need additional special education services, we encourage you to get a developmental screening to see if further evaluation is needed.
Developmental screenings can tell you if your child is having any difficulties with: hearing/vision, speech/language, problem-solving, social skills, fine/gross motor and/or listening/attending. Please attend a Child Find Team Screening Site to obtain a free developmental screening.
For CPS Pre-K Programs call 773-553-5410 or visit the Office of Diverse Learner Support and Services (ODLSS) website here.
CPS's Virtual Academy Pre-K Program
CPS's Virtual Academy PreK program educates students citywide who have a medical condition (physical or mental health) that results in virtual learning being the best learning format. Interested families can find out more and apply at cps.edu/VirtualAcademy.
For Community-Based Programs
Early Intervention (EI) or Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) are available to families with infants and children under three years old with developmental delays and disabilities. This can include speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other services based on the child's needs.
Children who apply to Pre-K with IEPs have transitioned from Early Intervention and received a complete evaluation that has determined a need for Special Education support in the Preschool Setting.
In most cases, children who have received Early Intervention with no IEP have been determined to no longer need the support and can transition into Pre-K without needing Special Education. However, we recommend you consider these questions beforehand:
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Did your child transition out of EI and receive an evaluation by the School District?
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At your child's EI Transition meeting, was it determined that evaluation for SPED was recommended?
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Did your child receive an IEP at their evaluation meeting?
For more information locate and contact a DHS Office or Service Provider here.
For Community-Based Programs
Early Intervention (EI) or Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) are available to families with infants and children under three years old with developmental delays and disabilities. This can include speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other services based on the child's needs.
Children who apply to Pre-K with IEPs have transitioned from Early Intervention and received a complete evaluation that has determined a need for Special Education support in the Preschool Setting.
In most cases, children who have received Early Intervention with no IEP have been determined to no longer need the support and can transition into Pre-K without needing Special Education. However, we recommend you consider these questions beforehand:
-
Did your child transition out of EI and receive an evaluation by the School District?
-
At your child's EI Transition meeting, was it determined that evaluation for SPED was recommended?
-
Did your child receive an IEP at their evaluation meeting?
For more information locate and contact a DHS Office or Service Provider here.
Age 5
Kindergarten
Children who are 5 years old by September 1st of the current school year are eligible and encouraged to enroll in kindergarten at a CPS elementary school.
What Makes a Great Program?
Child-Friendly Spaces
A safe, child-friendly space for 20 preschoolers at most, with toys and materials indoors and outdoors
Top-Notch Teachers
Attentive, engaged teachers with 4-year degrees, credentials, licensures, and training and 1:10 teacher-child ratios for Pre-K.
Engaged Students
Variety in 1-on-1, small and full group age-appropriate activities, with meals and naptime, offered.
And So Much More
Visitors welcomed with required safety measures, frequent handwashing by children and adults
Choosing the Right Program
Quality ratings for Chicago Early Learning programs, and programs across Illinois and the country, offer families more insight before they make final choices about a program for their child.