School Readiness and Preschool

Early learning programs can make all the difference when preparing children for school.

The 2004 Seattle Families and Education Levy funds free preschool programs for low-income (from 110% to 300% of federal poverty guidelines) children in southeast and southwest Seattle through the Seattle Early Education Collaborative.

Seattle Early Reading First (SERF) is a three-year U.S. Department of Education grant administered through the Early Learning & Family Support Division of the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department. The City in partnership with Child Care Resources, Seattle Public Schools, Seattle Public Library, and five preschools will implement the project. The University of Washington’s Experimental Education Unit will evaluate the effectiveness of SERF. An additional fourth year, funded through a no-cost extension and serving eight preschool classrooms, was approved by the U.S. Department of Education in August 2010.

In addition, the City provides General Funds and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) funds from the State Department of Early Learning to offer FREE pre-kindergarten classes to children from low-income families (up to 110% federal poverty guidelines) throughout Seattle.

Through community school partnerships and coordination with agencies, the City’s high quality early learning system will ensure that children are kindergarten ready and prepared to succeed in school and beyond.

Seattle Human Services Department
Street address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5800, Seattle, WA 98104
Mailing address: PO Box 34215, Seattle, WA 98124-4215

Phone: 206-386-1001
Fax: 206-233-5119
TTY/TTD: 206-233-2778

Accommodations for people with disabilities provided upon request.