The Preschool Application is now closed.


2025-2026 Preschool Application will open on Monday, June 2, 2025.
STATE PRESCHOOL AND SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAMS
San Diego Unified School District offers a California State Preschool Program (Part-Day and Extended-Day) for 3 and 4-year old children who qualify. Family income must meet the State income ceiling guideline according to family size in order to qualify.
Families that do not income-qualify for the State-funded Preschool may contact a School Readiness for availability in their part-day programs. These programs are 4 days a week and enrollment is site based. School Readiness can be found at the following elementary schools: Balboa, Clairemont Canyons*, Dingeman, Ericson, Jones, Kumeyaay, Miller, Normal Heights and Rodriguez.
*Clairemont Canyons has both a state preschool and a School Readiness classrooms.
While it is highly encouraged that children are fully potty-trained to attend preschool, it is not a requirement.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
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EARLY LEARNING OPTIONS
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Eligibility for the State Preschool Program is determined by the following State factors:
- Age Requirements
- Students who are turning 3 years old by December 1st of the current school year may apply for the part-day preschool at 17 sites, or the extended-day program at Central Elementary.
- If your student turns 3 years old after December 1st of the current school year, please apply at the time the student turns 3 years old.
- Students who turn 4 years old by September 1st of the current school year may participate in Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK), part-day preschool, or the extended day preschool.
- Students who turn 4 years old after September 1st of the current school year may participate in a part-day preschool or extended-day preschool.
- Income The family's gross income must be within the income ceiling guideline to qualify.
- CPS/At Risk (Must provide letter/document from caseworker)
- Homeless (Must provide letter or referral from agency or self-declaration of situation)
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- Part-Day Early Learning Program. This State Preschool program is available at 18 school sites in San Diego Unified School District to 3 and 4-year old children for 3 hours a day, Monday to Friday. You may select either an AM or PM session. Families must income-qualify and students must attend 5 days a week.
- Extended-Day Early Learning Program. This State Preschool program is available to 3 and 4-year old children for 6 hours a day, Monday to Friday, and is only offered at Central Elementary. Families must income-qualify and students must attend 5 days a week.
- School Readiness Program. This district-funded preschool program is available to 3 and 4-year old children for 3 hours a day, & 4 days a week.
- This program is offered at Balboa, Clairemont Canyons, Dingeman, Ericson, Jones, Kumeyaay, Miller, Normal Heights, and Rodriguez elementary schools. Students will only attend 4 days a week.
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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
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SCHOOL SITES AND MAP
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All required documents must be uploaded to the Online Scribbles Preschool Application in order to complete the enrollment process.
To learn more what documents you must submit, please visit the Early Learning Online Application Requirements webpage.
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The list of Early Learning school sites including hours of operation, program offerings and map are available at the following links:
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ECSE – Early Childhood Special Education
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
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For Special Education inquiries including a request for assessment, please visit the San Diego Unified School District - Early Childhood Special Education Department’s website at Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Services.
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Early Learning classrooms provide age and developmentally appropriate conditions for our youngest learners.
Learn more
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APPLICATION FOR 2025-2026
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ACCEPTANCE
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The priority period for Early Learning online application be between June 2, 2025 and June 16, 2025. The application closes on June 17, 2025 and will reopen on July 15, 2025. Late applications will be processed on a date/time order received.
For the State Preschool program, family must complete a preschool application and income-qualify to be offered a seat.
Families that complete the preschool application but do not income-qualify may seek enrollment at a School Readiness part-day program at the schools listed below on space availability basis.
- Balboa
- Clairemont Canyons
- Dingeman
- Ericson
- Jones
- Kumeyaay
- Miller
- Normal Heights
- Rodriguez
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Acceptance into the State Preschool Program is confirmed through Notice of Action (NOA) sent to parents/guardian via email within 30 days.
If you received a Notice of Action but are no longer interested (e.g., relocation, private school, etc.), please notify our office via email at [email protected].
For School Readiness, families must contact the school site directly to inquire about space and complete student enrollment. There is limited space and priority will be given to resident students.
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EARLY LEARNING CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone: (619) 260-2410
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.