Early Childhood Learning

The Tukwila School District provides comprehensive preschool programs for families with children ages 3-5 living in our community. The goal of our preschool program is to ensure that children enter kindergarten ready to succeed. We incorporate the use of Creative Curriculum, Building Blocks, and Second Step in our preschool classrooms to ensure kindergarten readiness. Our preschool programs include child health/ nutrition coordination and family support services. The preschool programs are located within Cascade View, Thorndyke, and Tukwila Elementary.

There are various ways for your child and family to access our preschool classrooms. Below are the options that your family may qualify for. We encourage all families with children who turned 3 or 4 years old by August 31 of the current school year to apply for our preschool program.

Preschool Programs Offered

ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program)

ECEAP is tuition free for qualified families, funded by Washington State, for children 3 and 4 years old. Children are eligible for ECEAP based on their age and family income. ECEAP staff work closely with parents to support their children’s health and education and to meet family goals. They help families access medical care, dental care, and social services. In Tukwila, ECEAP classrooms provide both half day and full day options.

ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education)

ESCE is a preschool program for students who have an IEP (Individualized Education Program).

Head Start

Head Start is tuition-free for qualified families, funded by the Federal Government, for children 3 and 4 years old. Children are eligible for Head Start based on their age and family income. Head Start staff work closely with parents to support their children’s health and education and to meet family goals. They help families access medical care, dental care, and social services.

Voices of Tomorrow

Voices of Tomorrow’s Early Learning program offers high-quality early learning instruction in Somali and English for children aged 3-4, together with supports for healthy development such as developmental, health, and dental screenings and referrals, family support, and nutrition. Learn more about Voices of Tomorrow by visiting tomorrowvoices.org

Child Find

Child Find is a Special Education law that requires all school districts to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability. Schools are required to do this for all children with disabilities from age three through 21. The Child Find
mandate applies to all children who reside within the state, including children who attend private and public schools, highly mobile children, migrant children, homeless children, and children who are wards of the state.

If you suspect your 3 to 5-year-old child may have a disability please contact us to set up a developmental screening. Please reach out to childfind@tukwila.wednet.edu to schedule a Child Find appointment.