Getting Started

Universal Preschool Begins in the 2023-2024 School Year

We are thrilled that Colorado families will be able to enroll their children in the state’s new universal preschool program starting in the 2023-2024 school year! High-quality early childhood education sets the foundation for a strong start to kindergarten.

Who qualifies for universal preschool?

• ALL 4-year-olds qualify for 15 hours of free preschool a week the year before they start kindergarten. These students must turn 4 by Oct. 1, 2023.

• Some 4-year-olds who meet additional eligibility requirements may qualify for additional hours of free preschool. This includes:

  • Children who live in low-income households (270% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines)

  • Children who are dual language learners, and the native language spoken in the child’s home is a language other than English, or children whose native language is not English

  • Children with an Individualized Education Program (IEP)

  • Children who are currently in a foster care home or in non-certified kinship care

  • Children who are identified as homeless

• Some 3-year-olds qualify 10 hours of free preschool if they meet certain eligibility requirements, such as:

  • Children who live in low-income households (270% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines)

  • Children who are dual language learners, and the native language spoken in the child’s home is a language other than English, or children whose native language is not English

  • Children with an Individualized Education Program (IEP)

  • Children who are currently in a foster care home or in non-certified kinship care

  • Children who are identified as homeless

  • If your child does not meet any of these criteria, but you would like to learn about possible tuition-based spots, please send an email to ad12upk@adams12.org with “3 year old” as your subject line.

Choose a Five Star Preschool!

The Adams 12 Five Star Schools Early Childhood Education Program is the perfect place for your child to begin their learning journey. Our preschool classrooms offer a safe and enriching environment with caring teachers and staff to spark a love of learning early. Our staff partners with families to assure that our youngest learners develop positive attitudes about learning, as well as strong developmental and academic foundations for success in their future school experiences. 

 

How do I sign up?

Colorado's new Department of Early Childhood has an online application for families to apply for the Colorado Universal Preschool Program. 

Click here to apply.

 

 

Special Education (Child Find)

At Adams 12 Child Find, we make sure that children demonstrating they may have difficulty in learning or possible delays can get the help they need to be successful. Below is a list of developmental areas that we may evaluate:

• academic (early learning/concepts, thinking, problem solving, preschool access skills)
• communication (articulation, language, fluency and voice)
• motor (fine and gross motor)
• social/emotional
• self-help
• hearing and/or vision

Children can be referred to Child Find by a parent, doctor or community agency. The process for children age 3-5 will begin with a developmental screening and when appropriate, a multi-disciplinary, play-based, evaluation. The team, including parents, will then make some decisions about next steps, which include eligibility for special education services. 

If you have concerns about your child's development please contact:

• Jody Davis at 720-972-6145
• Mara Zuniga at 720-972-3870 for Spanish-speaking families

Birth to 3 years old

For children who are ages birth through 3 years old, we partner with outside community agencies:

• Adams County: North Metro Community Services 303-453-3302
• Broomfield County: Imagine! 303-604-5424

 

Tuition-Based Preschool (2023-2024)

If you have any questions or have interest in being contacted if programming changes, please email ad12upk@adams12.org with the subject line “3-year-old” and one of our staff members will be happy to help you.

Please check back to this page frequently for updated enrollment opportunities for 2023-2024.