Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK) ensures that every child, in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, is eligible for half-day, state-funded, voluntary preschool.
If your family completed an ECE-4 application during Round 1 of SchoolChoice, your next step is to complete the UPK application in order to receive funding through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC).
If your family completed an ECE-3 application during Round 1 of SchoolChoice, no action is currently required. If additional information is needed, you will be contacted.
The state of Colorado’s UPK pre-registration application for the 2024-25 school year is currently open, and closes on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Families can pre-register with a known provider to continue care for a child currently enrolled, with a sibling currently enrolled, or with a family member currently employed with a UPK provider.
Families can complete the UPK pre-registration application while waiting for their DPS school match. On the UPK application, list your child’s top school choices, but please note that your child may be matched with another school after Round 1 results are released. Round 1 matches should be delivered to families by Friday, March 22. If your child is matched with a school that was not listed on your UPK application, the DPS team will update your UPK application to match your SchoolChoice result.
UPK Frequently Asked Questions
If my family isn’t eligible for pre-registration, what are our next steps for UPK?
Pre-registration is intended for families with a known provider to continue care for a child currently enrolled, with a sibling currently enrolled, or with a family member currently employed with a UPK provider. Families not eligible to pre-register can still fill out the UPK application if they feel ready to do so.
Does UPK match me to a DPS school?
No. All ECE-3 and ECE-4 families will need to participate in SchoolChoice to be matched with their preferred school for the 2024-25 school year.
Can I list non-DPS providers on my UPK application?
Yes, you are able to list non-DPS providers on the UPK application. If you list a non-DPS provider on the UPK application as your first choice, DPS will not have access to update your application with your SchoolChoice result once it becomes available. If a DPS school is your first choice, DPS will have access to update your application with your SchoolChoice result, even if you have non-DPS providers listed as well.
What schools should I list in my UPK pre-registration application?
Round 1 matches should be delivered to families by Friday, March 22. Families can complete the UPK pre-registration application before they receive their DPS school match and list their top five school choices on the application, knowing that their child may be matched with another school after Round 1 results. Families can also wait until they receive their Round 1 match and then complete the UPK pre-registration application by Thursday, March 28.
If my family filled out an ECE-3 application and we have qualifying factors, what are my next steps to apply for UPK?
Families applying for ECE-3 will no longer need to complete a UPK application. If additional information is needed, you will be contacted.
What if I missed out on SchoolChoice Round 1?
The DPS SchoolChoice Round 2 window opens on April 10 at 10 a.m. More information regarding the state's UPK application process during Round 2 will be available soon.
Questions about SchoolChoice? Call 720-423-3493 or email SchoolChoice@dpsk12.org. (Hotline hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Questions about UPK? Call 303-866-5223 or email cdec_upkcolorado@state.co.us.