Preschool

Jeffco's Preschool Philosophy

Jeffco preschool programs provide a childhood experience filled with play, adventure, investigation, exploration and friendship. We believe that each child is a unique individual and that all children can learn. Our programs strive to ensure families and children feel at home and part of a warm, supportive and inclusive community.  

Jeffco's Preschool Instructional Approach 

We believe in teaching the whole child with attention given to all areas of development including social-emotional and content knowledge. With student interest and experiences guiding decision making, our standards-based curriculum is brought to life in play. Teachers create a caring, equitable, and inclusive community of learners where information is available through a variety of materials and experiences. 

Children are naturally curious about their environment and therefore, play is an essential component of our programming. In an ever-evolving, purposefully designed environment, children experience self-directed learning opportunities where they practice skills aligned with their needs and development. Play promotes a language-rich environment that fosters problem-solving skills, self-regulation, and cognitive and social competencies alongside learning of content knowledge. 

Preschool lays the foundation for our children to become critical thinkers, gain the necessary executive function skills to be academically successful, and to continue their educational experiences with confidence and enthusiasm. We want our children to not only be successful in their future academic career, but to look back at their experiences with a sense of belonging and fondness for their time spent in preschool.

Jeffco's Preschool Mission

Increase the quality and quantity of academically and developmentally focused opportunities for Pre-K students so that those students will enter kindergarten ready and will sustain academic proficiency.

2024-2025 Preschool Programs and Hours

How to Apply for Preschool

Jeffco’s preschool program offers a wide variety of half-day and full-day options for three- and four-year-olds at multiple sites across the county. In all classrooms, our students experience academic and social-emotional core instruction and have access to services for English language learners and identified special education needs. 

The four-year-old program is available for students who turn four on or before Oct. 1, 2024. The three-year-old program is available for students who turn three on or before Oct. 1, 2024. Three-and-four year old students are served in the same classrooms and all programs are licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services and meet the Colorado Department of Education quality standards for early childhood care and education services.

1. Find a school. Visit the EnrollJeffco website to find the best school options for your student. 

2. Apply for a school. Families will apply for preschool through the EnrollJeffco process for all preschool programs at Jeffco neighborhood schools, charter schools and option schools.

   • Returning students: If you have a returning student who attended preschool as a three-year-old, log into EnrollJeffco and complete the prompts for returning students. This must be done within round 1 of EnrollJeffco, from December 5 to January 12, to ensure your student retains their spot. You will be given the option to return to the same school for four-year-old preschool, apply for different programs, or not return and forfeit your spot.

3. Respond to offers. Lottery results for preschool will be available in EnrollJeffco. Families can log in to EnrollJeffco to view results and respond to any offers received. All offers will expire after three days.

4. Apply for funding. Qualifying three- and four-year-olds will be able to apply for Universal Preschool funding in the spring of 2024. Families may qualify for tuition assistance through the Colorado Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) throughout the year.

Please note: The preschool enrollment process is separate from applying for financial assistance. Please visit the preschool tuition webpage to learn more and apply for funding.

Waitlists and How They Work

Families can view this waitlist position slide deck to gain a better understanding of what it means to be on a waitlist, why your student’s position on the waitlist may change and more.