Early Childhood Education

Group of ECE students outside by the school playground smiling

Preschool, also called Early Childhood Education or ECE, helps young children develop mentally, socially and emotionally. The DPS Early Education program provides quality half- and full-day preschool at more than 80 DPS schools. DPS preschool programs are designed to serve all students, including students with disabilities.

What is Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK)?

Every school district in Colorado, including DPS, is working with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to continue expanding its Early Childhood Education with an enrollment process for Universal Preschool Colorado, also known as (UPK).

UPK ensures that every child, in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, is eligible for half-day, state-funded, voluntary preschool. 3-year-old students with an IEP may be eligible for half-day funding. 

Completion of the SchoolChoice enrollment process is separate from applying for UPK funding.

ECE student wearing a hat and smiling

How to Apply for ECE

All ECE-3 and ECE-4 families will need to participate in DPS SchoolChoice to be matched with their preferred school for the 2024-25 school year. Students who turn 3 years old on or before Oct. 1 will need to apply for ECE-3. Students who turn 4 years old on or before Oct. 1 will need to apply for ECE-4. Due to limited space, enrollment is not guaranteed.

Submitted your application during Round 1?

Your next step is to complete the UPK application in order to receive funding through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). 

The state of Colorado’s UPK pre-registration application for the 2024-25 school year is currently open, and closes on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Families can pre-register with a known provider to continue care for a child currently enrolled, with a sibling currently enrolled, or with a family member currently employed with a UPK provider. 

Families can complete the UPK pre-registration application while waiting for their DPS school match. On the UPK application, list your child’s top school choices, but please note that your child may be matched with another school after Round 1 results are released. Round 1 matches should be delivered to families by Friday, March 22. If your child is matched with a school that was not listed on your UPK application, the DPS team will update your UPK application to match your SchoolChoice result.

View our FAQ about UPK here

Applying for ECE during Round 2?

The DPS SchoolChoice Round 2 window opens on April 10 at 10 a.m. More information regarding the state's UPK application process during Round 2 will be available soon.

More information regarding the ECE application and matching process during Round 2 will be available soon. 

ECE students sitting on ground together laughing

Cost

Preschool is a tuition-based program. Tuition is determined on a sliding fee scale by the family household size and gross income and ranges from free to out-of-district cost.

UPK ensures that every child, in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, is eligible for half-day (minimum 15 hours per week) state-funded, voluntary preschool, provided they complete the UPK application. 3-year-old students with an IEP may be eligible for half-day funding. 

Tuition rates are subject to change.

Enrollment Guides

The DPS Enrollment Guides are a great resource for families to find the best school for their students! To request a translated version of part or all of this guide at no cost, please call our family helpline at 720-423-3054 or email translations@dpsk12.org with the language and sections needed. You can also view the enrollment zone guides and School Finder for detailed information about each DPS school.

Our Enrollment Information Packets are a shortened version of the Enrollment Guide, focusing less on each school and more on the SchoolChoice application process itself. These packets are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Somali, Amharic, Nepali, French and Mandarin. Email communications@dpsk12.org with questions.

Additional Information

Questions about SchoolChoice? Call 720-423-3493 or email SchoolChoice@dpsk12.org. (Hotline hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Questions about UPK? Call 303-866-5223 or email cdec_upkcolorado@state.co.us.