Seattle's acclaimed Preschool Program is set to expand, with applications for the upcoming 2025-26 school year now open to eager families. In a recent announcement covered by Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning, Mayor Bruce Harrell and local education leaders revealed plans to add nine new classrooms, opening up 169 additional seats for youngsters. The effort represents a substantial city investment, clocking in at around $3 million.
At a gathering at The Children’s Center at Burke Gilman Gardens, the mayor stressed the program's significance, remarking on the Department of Education and Early Learning, “The greatest investment we can make in Seattle’s future is investing in opportunities for our youth.” The city's goal is to not just simply to keep investing, but to aggressively expand the program's reach, offering affordable, quality education to more children, as Mayor Harrell emphasized in the same statement obtained by the Department of Education and Early Learning.
This expansion signifies yet another stride in Seattle’s commitment to early education, establishing eight new locations for the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) and bolstering one existing site. Jennifer Kelty, Executive Director of The Children’s Center, praised the collaboration between SPP and other funding sources, saying, “Our partnership with SPP will allow us to increase affordable childcare and preschool program options for local families.” The sentiment was shared in a statement on the Department of Education and Early Learning website.
Seattle’s steadfast dedication to molding young minds will be manifest across various neighborhoods, with the Chinese Information Service Center, Hutch Kids Child Care, and others joining the ranks. The inclusion of a second classroom at an already established site also underscores the commitment to grow the capacity to serve over 2,500 children citywide as reported by the same department's dispatch. The SPP classrooms are known for nationally recognized curricula and specialized programs including dual language offerings.
As September draws near, the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning website remains the hub for prospective applicants. With the initiative set to collaborate with 29 partner organizations and operate 158 classrooms across 114 sites, the city’s educational landscape looks ripe for the coming harvest of young, vibrant minds.
