The City of Seattle funds two free preschool programs which help children prepare for kindergarten, academically, socially and physically. These programs honor family, language and culture and help children develop the skills and love for learning that lead to academic success.
Seattle Step Ahead Preschools
The Seattle Step Ahead preschool program, funded by the 2004 Families and Education Levy offers free or low-cost, culturally and linguistically appropriate preschools to eligible four-year-olds. The goal is to help participating children develop the skills they need to be successful in school and acquire a passion for lifelong learning.
Part-day programs provide a three and a half-hour instructional day for children, four to five days a week from September to June. Full-day programs provide six or more hours a day for children, five days a week from September to June. Teachers provide daily opportunities for children to improve skills in language and literacy, math concepts, science, social studies, arts, physical development, and social and emotional development.
For more information about the Step Ahead Preschools, call 206-386-1050 or e-mail childrenandfamilies@seattle.gov.
Early Childhood Education and Assistance
Program (ECEAP)
The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP),
ECEAP also acknowledges that families are their child’s first teacher and it is important that families have access to information and resources that help support their child’s development
Each ECEAP site is unique and may offer a part-day preschool or
full-day integrated services. Part-day programs provide three to four hours of instruction for children, four to five days a week from September to May/June. Full-day programs provide full day care for
working families as well as preschool, five days a week from September to May/June. Teachers provide daily opportunities for children to improve skills in language and literacy, math, science, social studies, arts, physical, social and emotional development.
ECEAP provides:
- Nurturing staff who are well-trained in how to foster eachchild's sense of security, confidence and readiness for kindergarten
- Developmentally and culturally appropriate classroom activities designed to support the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child
- Health, nutrition and developmental screenings to support healthy growth and development
- Inclusive services for children with disabilities
- A safe and healthy environment for children
- Additional support for families including parent education and
referrals for needed resources
Eligibility and Application Information for ECEAP and Seattle Step Ahead Programs
Part-day Step Ahead and ECEAP preschools are located in numerous locations in Seattle and are free for children attending. Full-day Seattle Step Ahead and ECEAP Preschools are located in licensed child care centers in Seattle. Payment assistance may be available if families
need help paying for a full-day program through the Working Connections
Child Care or City of Seattle Child Care Assistance Program. The
requirements for the ECEAP and Step Ahead Programs are listed below.
ECEAP Information:
- Children must be three or four years old by August 31 of the
participating year - Families must live or work in Seattle city limits
- Families must be within the income limits below
- Programs are located throughout Seattle
- Foster children are eligible
Step Ahead Program Information:
- Children must be four years old by August 31 of the
participating year - Families must live in Seattle city limits
- Programs are located in southeast and southwest Seattle
For both ECEAP and Step Ahead, families must be within the income
limits listed below:
ECEAP and Step Ahead
Income Guidelines
2009 - 2010 |
Family Size |
ECEAP Gross
Monthly Income |
Step Ahead Gross
Monthly Income |
2 |
$0 - $1,335 |
$1,336 - $3,642 |
3 |
$0 - $1,679 |
$1,680 - $4,578 |
4 |
$0 - $2,022 |
$2,023 - $5,514 |
5 |
$0 - $2,364 |
$2,365 - $6,447 |
6 |
$0 - $2,707 |
$2,708 - $7,383 |
7+ |
Please call us. |
Please call us. |
To be screened for eligibility and to apply, schedule an
appointment with the programs directly or contact the City of Seattle at
206-386-1050 or e-mail comprehensivechildcare@seattle.gov.
Bilingual services:
Spanish — 206-386-1012
Mienh — 206-684-0605
Tagalog — 206-386-1011
TDD — 206-233-2778
Interpretive services can be arranged for other languages at
206-386-1050.
For more information about our partners and similar programs,
contact the agencies listed above or:
