Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program Makes Early Learning Accessible

By Missy Ruzicka

In the Fall of 2023, Colorado will see the start of Universal Preschool for all Colorado kids who turn four on or before October 1, and for qualifying 3 years olds. This is exciting news that can save Colorado families an average of up to $6,000 a year. The November 2020 election saw voters approve Proposition EE, which increases taxes on nicotine products and use generated revenue towards health and education programs including preschool funding.

Children in preschool are so busy playing every day they don’t realize they are learning concepts that will help them later in school. Gross motor skills are developed while they play at recess with friends. They advance fine motor skills through painting, drawing, and the use of scissors. Foundations of mathematics begin by rote counting and sorting. Problem solving skills are built while piecing together puzzles and playing board games. Preschool is a language rich environment where a child’s vocabulary expands dramatically. Preschool students work hard every day by playing and falling in love with learning.

The Universal Preschool Program allows families to choose the right half-day (15 hours a week) program for their child, whether it is in a licensed community-based, school-based or at home-based preschool setting. Registration started in January of 2023 and by early March 26,000 families had been matched with one of their requested preschools. There are more than 3,000 applications in process to be matched with the 1,649 licensed and registered providers. Jessica Jones, director of Broomfield Early Childhood Council said it is not too late to sign up and the matching process happens on a rolling schedule multiple times during the registration window.

To register, families can go to the link found at upk.colorado.gov or to Broomfield’s own Broomfield Early Childhood Council’s website broomfieldecc.org. There parents can find a list and map of providers to help them choose the schools that fit their family’s needs, from location to services provided. Documents needed for registration are proof of date of birth, residency, and proof of income, if requesting more than 15 hours per week. Families with kids in full-time care will find 15 hours deducted off their tuition bill.

Children who turn three on or before October 1, may be eligible due to qualifying factors, such as low household income, the child is on an IEP (individual education plan), dual language learner and/or their housing status. These qualifying factors can also help families who need more than 15 hours a week and would like to qualify for 30 hours a week. Please see Broomfield Early Childhood Council’s website for more information on these qualifications.

Broomfield Early Childhood Council has close working relationships with all the Broomfield providers and are proud that the quality of standards here in Broomfield are high. The Universal Preschool Program ensures a quality preschool experience can be available to all Colorado’s preschoolers.