How Pre-K applications work
Chicago Pre-K has its own application, called Chicago Early Learning. This page covers the dates, choices, offers, and next steps. Every fact here comes from CPS.
Pre-K has its own application
Families apply for Pre-K through Chicago Early Learning. It is a different system from GoCPS, which families use for kindergarten and up.
One application covers both CPS Pre-K in schools and community preschools run by local agencies.
Source: CPS Chicago Early Learning FAQ and How to Apply pages, checked Sep 24, 2026.
When to apply
The first application period for the 2026-27 school year was April 7 to April 28, 2026. Families who applied in that window got their results in mid-May.
CPS has not posted the dates for the 2027-28 school year yet. This page shows last year’s dates until it does.
Families can still apply after that. Applications stay open all year.
Source: CPS Chicago Early Learning FAQ and How to Apply pages, checked Sep 24, 2026.
Choose up to 5 programs
You rank up to 5 programs, with the one you want most first. You can go back later to change the order or add programs.
Source: CPS Chicago Early Learning FAQ and How to Apply pages, checked Sep 24, 2026.
How offers work
Each child has their own application and gets one offer. It is for the highest program on the list that has a seat. CPS tries to keep brothers and sisters of the same age together, such as twins, but cannot promise it.
If that offer is not your first choice, your child also goes on the waitlist for each program you ranked higher. Programs you ranked lower show "not offered."
Seats are not given out first come, first served. A waitlist number comes from the priorities below, not from the order families applied.
Source: CPS Chicago Early Learning FAQ and How to Apply pages, checked Sep 24, 2026.
Visit a program
CPS schools hold Pre-K open houses in the spring. Community programs welcome visits all year: call or email the program to set one up.
A CPS school may also agree to a short visit at other times. Email the school office to ask.
Source: CPS Chicago Early Learning FAQ page, checked Sep 24, 2026.
Age rules
For the 2026-27 school year, a child who turned 4 on or before September 1, 2026, could apply for CPS full-day and half-day Pre-K.
For the 2026-27 school year, a child who turned 3 on or before September 1, 2026, could apply for CPS half-day Pre-K. Seats for 3-year-olds are limited.
CPS has not posted the 2027-28 age rules yet. If CPS keeps the same rule, the date for 2027-28 would be September 1, 2027.
Source: CPS Chicago Early Learning FAQ page, checked Sep 24, 2026.
Who gets priority
CPS gives the first priority to families with lower income, children in foster care, and children in temporary living situations.
Next comes a child whose brother or sister is in kindergarten through 8th grade at the same school. Then a child who lives in the school’s kindergarten attendance area, and then a child who lives within 1.5 miles.
CPS does not say more than this about how it picks between families with the same priority.
Source: CPS Chicago Early Learning FAQ page, checked Sep 24, 2026.
After an offer: accept, verify, enroll
Accept: tell the program yes. You can accept online, on the Family Support Hotline (312-229-1690), by calling the program, or in person.
Verify: within two weeks of your offer, bring papers to the program or to a Family Resource Center. Bring proof of your child’s age (like a birth certificate or passport), two proofs of your address, and one proof of income for each parent.
Enroll: the program tells you its own steps to finish enrollment.
Source: CPS Chicago Early Learning How to Apply page, checked Sep 24, 2026.
What it costs
CPS Pre-K is free. Community preschools have free and low-cost options based on family income.
Source: CPS Chicago Early Learning FAQ page, checked Sep 24, 2026.
Find Pre-K and apply
SchoolNav shows which schools and community preschools have Pre-K. You apply on the Chicago Early Learning site.