Preschool for 3s Application Now Open for 2026-2027: Denver Families Can Save on Preschool Costs

Denver families with the most need can now apply to save on preschool costs for your 3-year-old for the 2026-2027 school year. A program that we piloted in 2022 and now have continued to offer every year, Preschool for 3s provides preschool tuition support to hundreds of Denver families annually. Continue reading to learn more about Preschool for 3s and how to apply. 

Why Preschool for 3-year-olds to Save on Preschool Costs?

Our mission is to transform the futures of young children and their families by strengthening and funding the early childhood education experience. For more than a decade, that promise was delivered by making high-quality preschool accessible to every 4-year-old in Denver. As our program grew, we expanded our vision. We know that when children can start preschool earlier, they can build the social, emotional, and cognitive skills earlier. Having children in early care and education earlier also allows their parents to work. 

One Denver mother shared: “It’s been a big deal for us. I was trying to work from home with my daughter before DPP. Her going to school allowed me to work more and advance my career. And she’s learning how to interact with others and develop her skills. It’s a pretty big deal…it has allowed us to have ends meet.” 

In 2022, we launched a pilot program called Preschool for 3s to expand access to high-quality early childhood education through a limited number of tuition credits offered to families with the most need. Today, Preschool for 3s is an annual offering. During 2025, the program provided tuition credits to 531 children, totaling just under $4 million. That is an almost $400,000 increase in total funding and a 67% increase in participants from the prior year. 

Which Denver Families Can Save on Preschool Costs for Their 3-year-old? 

Eligibility for Preschool for 3s is limited to families in the lowest 1-2 tiers of household income. For our tuition support, we utilize income tiers from 1 to 5 with 1 being the lowest income. We hope to continue to expand this program in coming years. For the 2025-2026 school year, eligible children must turn 3 before October 1, 2026. Children currently enrolled in a Head Start program are not eligible. Denver Public Schools students are also not eligible to receive Preschool for 3s funding. 

The application for Preschool for 3s funding for the 2026-2027 program year is now open. Eligible children must turn 3 before October 1, 2026. 

 If you think your family may be eligible for Preschool for 3s: 

• Learn more about ways to lower your preschool costs for your 3-year-old
• Contact our Preschool Navigator, Briana Gonzalez 
• Submit an application to be considered 

When Should My Child Start Preschool?

There’s no right or wrong answer to when you might consider starting your child in preschool. 

As we outline in “Should I start my 3-year-old in preschool?” every child is unique and starting your child in preschool depends on their physical independence, social and emotional skills, and cognitive development. 

One Denver mother of a 3-year-old attending preschool two days a week with DPP tuition support shared: “We qualified for Preschool for 3s this year, which frees us up to start saving again. The change in my kid is amazing. I love watching him build confidence and social skills. He’s practicing paying attention and being in a classroom. I could never have given him that at home. If you are thinking about it, just apply and see!”

Learn more about the benefits of preschool and how preschool benefits everyone, not just children enrolled in preschool. 

Additional Ways for Denver Families to Lower Your Preschool Costs 

While Preschool for 3s is only available for select families, our signature tuition credit program for 4-year-olds is available for all Denver families. Use DPP’s Tuition Calculator to estimate your savings and the Find a Preschool tool to search for a school that is a fit for your child and your family. You can also learn more about ways to save on preschool costs in our guide.

Keep updated about saving on preschool costs, new programs, and exciting events for preschool families in our bilingual monthly newsletter, Family Dispatch.