Early Childhood Education

Programs and Services for Families with Young Children

Mission: Early Childhood Education Program LogoiWe empower our community's eligible children and families to build a foundation for learning, as measured by their readiness for kindergarten and beyond. 

 

Fullana is closed for spring break March 9-17. 

  • PSD PreK began taking applications for the 2024-2025 school year in January 2024.
  • We still have openings for the 2023-24 school year.
  • Students re-enrolling for 2024-25 will receive notification by May 1.
  • Newly enrolled students for 2024-25 will receive notification by July 1, 2024

The Early Childhood office at Fullana will be closed from 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for staff meetings on Dec. 8, Feb. 9 and April 5.

 

                       

Watch the Spanish version on YouTube here.                            


ECE offers:

  • No-cost and tuition-based Preschool programs for children
    • School age 3 years old ( 2 years prior to Kindergarten) and 4 years old ( the year prior to Kindergarten)
      • Must be 3 years old by Oct 1 of the enrolling year
    • Children with Integrated Services may enroll upon their 3rd birthday 
  • Classrooms are located in 21 district elementary schools and 7 community sites
  • Highly-qualified licensed teachers who partner with families to offer the best services specific to each child.
  • Programs and learning environments that help our young children become emotionally strong, skilled and ready for kindergarten.
  • Prenatal, infant, and toddler home visiting program offering parent education and mentoring for families
  • Screenings
  • Evaluations through Integrated Services
  • Services for families expecting a child and/or with children from birth to age 3
  • Resources and community referrals

 

Enrollment area, cost and availability

Family must reside within PSD boundries for preschool. PSD staff that reside out of PSD boundries may apply for PreK. Determine if you reside in PSD attendance area here.

Family must reside within Larimer County for Early Head Start. 

Many options are available to meet family schedules and needs, including:

  • Full and half-day no-cost spaces for families that meet admission criteria
  • Unlimited no-cost spaces for children who qualify for special education services
  • A limited number of half-day, four-day-per week tuition spaces

Early Head Start

Calling all families with children ages 0-3, and all pregnant people!  PSD enrolls year-round in our Early Head Start Program.  Our Early Head Start Program has many benefits for families:

  • Monthly PACTs (Parents and Children Together)
  • Family mentor that provides educational materials to parents and child at home visits 
  • Center-based and home-based options 
  • Support for growth and change
  • Learn about child development and risk factors
  • Connection to community supports

Currently slots are open for families expecting a child or whose child is not yet preschool age! Complete an Early Childhood Program Application or Prenatal Application and return it to Fullana to get the application process started.  You do not need to complete an enrollment packet for Early Head Start until you have been accepted to the program. PSDs Early Childhood Education Department keeps all information gathered for purposes of eligibility and enrollment or personally identifiable information strictly confidential. Families can rest assured that information regarding their situation is not shared outside of the ECE Department or Poudre School District unless the family gives permission.

Eligibility - Early Head Start

  • Family resides within Larimer County
  • Family with a child aged 0 -3 and pregnant women
  • Family income is within 100% of federal poverty guidelines ( Federal Income Guidelines-below) - or -
  • Family categorically qualifies with at least one of the following situations:
    • Family is homeless, doubled up due to financial hardship, or living in substandard housing
    • Family provides foster/kinship care
    • Family receives public assistance (SSI, TANF, SNAP/EBT)

Head Start

No cost federally funded grant based on family income and categorical qualifiers. 

  • Family income is within 130% of federal poverty guidelines – or -
  • Family categorically qualifies with at least one of the following situations:
    • Family is homeless, doubled up due to financial hardship, or living in substandard housing
    • Family provides foster/kinship care
    • Family receives public assistance (SSI or TANF or SNAP)
  • Children are eligible on their 3rd birthday for Early Childhood Special Education/Integrated Services and Head Start. Children who are school-aged 5 or age 5 by October 1 are not eligible for preschool services.

For more information, visit the Head Start website here

or apply now!

Preschool Special Education

  • State and Federal mandated program for 3, 4 and 5-year-olds who are eligible when they receive a diagnosis of developmental delay or other disability designation 
  • The significant delay can be in one or more areas of development such as communication, adaptive, motor, cognitive or social/emotional
  • The Child Find Specialist and/or the PSD Assessment Team will meet with parents and the child to determine eligibility
  • Children are eligible on their 3rd birthday for Early Childhood Special Education/Integrated Services

Apply now!

Tuition-based

2023-2024 tuition rates: 

  • One-time, non-refundable enrollment fee of $50, is due upon placement acceptance
  • 10 hours per week- $4757.44 a year

  • 14-15 hours per week- $5944.89 a year

  • 30 hours per week - $10,511.26 a year

  • 28-30 hours per week- $4566.37 a year ( for those that qualify for another no-cost funding source)

  • Children must be 3 years old by October 1 of the year of enrollment for tuition-based program.
  • 2024-25 Tuition subject to change based on the state reimbursement amount

Apply now!

Universal PreK (UPK)

Complete the information in the Universal PreK Portal: upk.colorado.gov

Families with 3 or 4-year-olds may qualify for Universal PreK funding. Spaces are limited. Families should complete the EC application and then complete the UPK application when it opens up to families.

For more information on UPK, check out their 2024-2025 Parent Handbook!

Connect with Colorado Universal Preschool:

Submit questions HERE

Call at 303-866-5223

Find your LCO!

 


Hours and locations: 

School sites: Hours at early childhood school sites vary by location

Fullana Learning Center: Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday; Blue locked drop-boxes are available for families to drop off paperwork when the center is closed.
Location: 220 N. Grant Ave.,
 Fort Collins, CO 80521

ECE offices follow the school district's calendar for fall, winter and spring breaks.

 

Learn more about us!

See what we're up to - follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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Contact Information

General Information or Questions
970.490.3204 or psdece@psdschools.org

Attendance Line
970.490.3336

Program Director
Becca Benedict | 970.490.3254| rbenedict@psdschools.org

Assistant Director of Education
Greg Strutz | 970.490.3082 | gstrutz@psdschools.org

Operations Manager

Sarah Chimblo | 970.490.3387 | schimblo@psdschools.org

Enrollment Coordinator
Sharon Weaver | 970.490.3036 | sharonw@psdschools.org

Family and Community Engagement Coordinator
Nikki Arensmeier | 970.490.3188 | earensme@psdschools.org

Disabilities Coordinator
Stephanie Hahn | 970.490.3245 | shahn@psdschools.org

Department Technician II
Jack Robertson | 970.490.3360 | jrobertson@psdschools.org