Education and Child Care

Seattle Parks and Recreation Preschool Scholarships

Available to children 3-5 years old not enrolled in school, the Seattle Parks and Recreation, in partnership with Associated Recreation Council operates half-day preschool programs. This program focuses on emotional, social, physical, and cognitive skills to prepare kids for success in school and in life.

Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)

How it works

Preschool programs are hosted by the Associated Recreation Council (ARC) in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation for children ages 3 - 5.

Classrooms are set up with rich environments, fun-filled learning areas, consistent schedules and routines, and both large and small group times with a low-teacher child ratio of 1:8.

Programs run from September to June.

Vacancies are filled on a rolling basis.

Scholarships are based on household size and parent/guardian income and successful applicants receive a 50% to 90% subsidy as funds are available.

Families apply for scholarships annually.

Use our website to locate the nearest community center or pool facility.


Fill out scholarship application. Application is available in English, Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese.

These preschool locations offer scholarships through Seattle Parks and Recreation or free preschool through the Pathway Preschool Program:

Alki Community Center
5817 SW Stevens St, Seattle, WA 98116
206-684-7430

Ballard Community Center
6020 28th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
206-684-4093

Queen Anne Community Center
1901 1st Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119
206-386-4240

These preschool locations offer scholarships through Seattle Parks and Recreation or affordable preschool through the Seattle Preschool Program:

Bitter Lake Community Center
13035 Linden Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
206-684-7524

Meadowbrook Community Center
10517 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125
206-684-7522

These preschool locations offer scholarships through Seattle Parks and Recreation:

Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center, Nature Kids Preschool
3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA 98199
206-386-4236

Green Lake Community Center
7201 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115
206-684-0780

Hiawatha Community Center
2700 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
206-684-7441

Jefferson Community Center
3801 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108
206-684-7481

Loyal Heights Community Center
2101 NW 77th St, Seattle, WA 98117
206-684-4052

Magnolia Community Center
2550 34th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98199
206-386-4235

Northgate Community Center
10510 5th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125
206-386-4283

Visit ARC's website (https://arcseattle.org/Preschool-Programs) to learn more about Seattle Parks and Recreation Preschool Programs.

title

  • You have a 3 - 5-year-old child who does not attend school
  • Your child is fully toilet trained (no diapers or pull-ups permitted)
  • Your child can attend a minimum of 60% of days for each program requested
  • You meet one of the following income requirements:
    • You receive TANF/Welfare benefits
    • You qualify for the Utility Discount Program
    • Your family is at or under following income guidelines:
col-1-headercol-3-header
1$4155
2$5642
3$7120
4$8593
5$10067
6$11545
7$13019
8$14492
9$15970
10$17444

Stuff you'll need

Information about you and each member of your household (Name, Date of birth, Gender, Race/Ethnicity)

Proof of income for all adults. Provide a document that can prove your income. here are some examples:

  • Preferred: 1040 Income Tax form (most recent)
  • Gross paycheck stubs (1 month for all household members before tax income
  • Social Security benefits (SSA, SSI, Dependent, DDA-Disability, Survivor's, or Retirement) statement or benefit checks
  • Cash benefits (TANF/Welfare) statement or benefits check
  • Unemployment Income statement or benefits check
  • Utility Discount program qualification - provide bill statement (qualifies up to 50% scholarship)
  • Retirement benefits (Pensions, Annuities, or IRA) statement

Proof of dependents. Documents that can prove your dependent eligibility include:

  • Preferred: 1040 Income Tax form (most recent)
  • Birth certificates for dependents

Program selection for each child

Questions?

Contact your local Community Center: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/centers

Learn more

How to apply

Download scholarship application on-line or request a copy in-person at any of our community centers or pool locations. -Application is available in English, Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese.

Apply online:

Apply online here

Printable application form:

Printable application here

Apply by email:

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Apply by mail:

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Apply by phone:

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Apply in-person

Any community center or pool locations

Apply by fax:

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