2020-2021 Chicago Early Learning Preschool Applications

Chicago Early Learning’s school and community based preschool programs for 4 and 3 year olds (by Sept. 1st birthday) opens its 2020-2021 application on 5/21/20. If parents are interested in these sliding scale tuition programs that prioritize low income and 4 year old students, then visit www.chicagoearlylearning.org or call 312.229.1690 to apply.

Families can choose up to 2 Chicago Public School (CPS) or community based sites. Families should choose programs based on location, hours (most are 7 hours, some are half day) and ages served (most prioritize 4 year olds).

Helpful FAQs can be found HERE.  The application is linked HERE.

Note: CPS based sites do NOT guarantee students can attend that school’s kindergarten program if that is not their neighborhood school.

5 thoughts on “2020-2021 Chicago Early Learning Preschool Applications”

  1. From the FAQs on their site: “Does time matter when applying for my child? Is earlier better?

    We encourage families to get their applications in as early as possible to have the best chance at a spot in your top choice school or community site.

    Preschool applications are prioritized based on the child’s age and family need. Need indicators include: family income, students with disabilities, students in temporary living situations, foster children, children in need of language support, and additional demographic factors.

    Some seats may be reserved at specific sites for families who can verify that they meet the criteria for “high need”. Open seats may be flagged for families with certain eligibility factors, meaning some families may be admitted to a school while others are asked to remain on a waitlist. Waitlists and policies for placement into open seats will be continuously reviewed throughout the summer and families who are admitted in that review will be immediately notified via email.”
    https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/chicagoearlylearning/home/faq.html

  2. My 2 children are already in dewitt Clinton school. I want to register my 3rd child for pre school at same school.

    Can i do this..?

    1. You can preference up to 2 schools on the Chicago Early Learning application. No guarantees for anyone with existing children to get new ones to the same site, but contact the CEL office to speak to someone directly at (312) 229-1690 in case that would help.

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