Universal Preschool Program for 4 Year Old Students
In the fall of 2020, Colorado voters approved a nicotine tax measure (Proposition EE) that will fund universal free preschool for 4-year-olds statewide starting in the fall of 2023. Children in the program would have 10 hours of free preschool.
The Thompson School District’s Early Childhood Program anticipates implementing Universal Preschool for 4-year-old children in the fall of 2023. The child must be 3 or 4 years old on or before October 1, 2023. For more information regarding this program, view the Colorado Universal Preschool Program Details on the Colorado Department of Early Childhood website.
UPK Colorado applications opened on January 17th, 2023. Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado allows families to choose the right setting for their child, whether it is in a licensed community-based, school-based or home-based preschool setting. Families of children in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, and qualifying 3-year-olds, are able to apply for UPK Colorado for the 2023-24 school year. Here is the link to the application: UPK Application
For information about the application and registration process, review the Universal Preschool Registration page.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible for Universal Preschool?
- How old does my child need to be for Universal Preschool?
- What if my three-year-old child does not qualify for Universal Preschool?
- Who do we serve?
- What will be offered for the 2023-2024 school year?
- The application says my child qualifies for 15 hours of free preschool. Why do I have to pay tuition?
- Do I have to pay tuition?
- My child has an IEP. Do I still need to fill out the Universal Preschool application?
- Will Head Start still be part of the Thompson School District’s Early Childhood program?
- My child will turn five before October 1, and I do not think they are ready for kindergarten. Can I send them to Thompson School District Early Childhood?
- Do you have a full-day option?
- How do you choose who goes to full-day preschool?
- What are the hours for preschool?
- Is transportation available for my child?
- Is there before and after-school care for my child?
- Can I choose what site my child attends?
- Can I request a teacher?
- Will Early Childhood be at every elementary school in TSD?