Preschool

Preschool Programs

Full & Half Day Preschool Opportunities 

Kent School District (KSD), in collaboration with community partners including Kent Youth and Family Services and other early learning centers, provides a variety of full and half-day preschool opportunities to the community.

Offerings include developmental preschool, Head Start, Early Childhood Educational Assistance Program (ECEAP), Title I funded preschool, and early childhood programs at Kentwood and Kentridge through the KSD Career and Technical Education Team.

Free Options

Kent Youth & Family Services, KSD ECEAP, Head Start Preschool

Free preschool is available to qualifying families at seven locations in the Kent School District. 

  • Children must be 3 or 4 years old by August 31.

  • Families must apply and qualify based on income.

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Preschool

Free preschool is available to qualifying families at seven locations in the Kent School District. 

  • Children must qualify for this program with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

  • Children must be three years old. They may enter the program on or after their third birthday.

Meridian Preschool

Free half-day preschool is available to qualifying families at Meridian Elementary School.

  • Families must live within the Meridian Elementary School boundary.

  • Children must be 4 years old by August 31.

  • Families must apply and qualify based on income.

  • Children must be potty trained.

  • Families must provide transportation. 

  • Families must complete registration at Meridian Elementary. 

If you have questions, contact Meridian Elementary at (253) 373-7664.

Park Orchard Preschool

Free half-day preschool is available to qualifying families at Park Orchard Elementary School.  

  • Families must live within the Park Orchard Elementary School boundary.

  • Children must be 4 years old by August 31.

  • Families must apply and qualify based on income.

  • Children must be potty trained.

  • Families must provide transportation.

  • Families must complete registration at Park Orchard.

If you have questions, contact Park Orchard Elementary at (253) 373-7473.

Tuition Options

Conk Kids Daycare

Preschool is available at Kentwood High School for a cost.

  • Children must be between 1 and 5 years old.

  • Families must complete registration at Kentwood. 

If you have questions, contact Kentwood at (253) 373-7732.

Little Charger Preschool

Preschool is available at Kentridge High School for a cost. 

  • Children must be 3 years and 6 months old by September 1

  • Children must be potty trained.

  • Families must complete registration at Kentridge. 

If you have questions, contact Kentridge at (253) 373-4235.

Peer Model Preschool

Preschool is available at seven locations in the Kent School District for a cost. 

  • Children must be four years old by August 31.

  • Children must be potty trained. 

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

Developmental Preschool
Kent School District’s free developmental preschool serves students with special needs alongside typically developing Peer Model students.

Requirements
To enroll in this program, your child must qualify for special education services.

  • Children must qualify for this program with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

  • Children must be three years old. They may enter the program on or after their third birthday.

Offered at Seven Locations

For more information, please call the KSD Inclusive Education team at (253) 373-7513.

ECEAP & Head Start

Free Preschool for Qualifying Children Ages 3-5

Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Head Start programs provide free preschool education and support services to children three to five years old.

Through this program, families who meet the income eligibility criteria (at or below the Federal Poverty Level) and live within the Kent School District boundaries are provided with opportunities to engage in their child's education and connect with resources in the community.

Online Application Process

Visit the Kent Youth and Family Services website to learn more and complete an ECEAP and Head Start application online. 

Peer Model Preschool

Peer Model Preschool is part of the Kent School District’s Special Education Early Childhood (ECSE) program. In order to support the development of preschool children with special needs, the program recruits typically developing peers to serve as models of age-appropriate skills and to provide opportunities for socialization.

Peer Model Preschool is held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday with 2.5-hour sessions available in mornings and afternoons

Requirements

  • Children must be between 3-5 years old. Priority is given to children between 4-5 years old.

  • Families must provide transportation for the child to and from school.

Cost

Peer Model Preschool costs $216 per month from September through May. Enrollment is limited.

Offered at Seven Locations

Refer to Kent School District's school boundaries to determine the program location based on your home address.

If you have questions regarding what program you may apply to or if you live in the Sunrise Elementary boundary, contact the Inclusive Education team by phone at (253) 373-7513.

Covington Elementary

The Covington Peer Model Preschool serves families living within the boundaries of:

  • Covington Elementary

  • Crestwood Elementary

  • Meridian Elementary

To inquire about Peer Model Preschool at this location, call (253) 373-7652.

Cedar Valley Elementary

The Cedar Valley Peer Model Preschool serves families living within the boundaries of:

  • Cedar Valley Elementary

  • Grass Lake Elementary

  • Jenkins Creek Elementary

  • Sawyer Woods Elementary

To inquire about Peer Model Preschool at this location, call (253) 373-7649.

Fairwood Elementary

The Fairwood Peer Model Preschool serves families living within the boundaries of:

  • Carriage Crest Elementary

  • Fairwood Elementary

  • Glenridge Elementary

  • Lake Youngs Elementary

  • Ridgewood Elementary

  • Soos Creek Elementary (some addresses)

  • Springbrook Elementary (some addresses)

To inquire about Peer Model Preschool at this location, call (253) 373-7491.

George T. Daniel Elementary

The George T. Daniel Peer Model Preschool serves families living within the boundaries of:

  • George T. Daniel Elementary

  • Martin Sortun Elementary

  • East Hill Elementary (some addresses)

  • Panther Lake Elementary (some addresses)

  • Park Orchard Elementary (some addresses)

To inquire about Peer Model Preschool at this location, call (253) 373-7615.

Meadow Ridge Elementary

The Meadow Ridge Peer Model Preschool serves families living within the boundaries of:

  • Horizon Elementary (some addresses)

  • Meadow Ridge Elementary

  • Meridian Elementary (some addresses)

  • Millennium Elementary

  • Pine Tree Elementary

  • Scenic Hill Elementary (some addresses)

To inquire about Peer Model Preschool at this location, call (253) 373-7870.

River Ridge Elementary

The River Ridge Peer Model Preschool serves families living within the boundaries of:

  • River Ridge Elementary

  • Kent Elementary

  • Neely-O’Brien Elementary

  • Panther Lake Elementary (some addresses)

  • Scenic Hill Elementary (some addresses)

  • Springbrook Elementary (some addresses)

To inquire about Peer Model Preschool at this location, call (253) 373-7320.

Soos Creek Elementary

The Soos Creek Peer Model Preschool serves families living within the boundaries of:

  • Emerald Park Elementary

  • Park Orchard Elementary (some addresses)

  • Soos Creek Elementary (some addresses)

  • Springbrook Elementary (some addresses)

To inquire about Peer Model Preschool at this location, call (253) 373-7690.