Frequently Asked Questions: Preschool Sign-up
What is Head Start and how do I sign-up?
- Head Start is an income-based program for lower income families. Children must be 3 or 4 years old by September 15th, the year they will begin preschool. (Children who are 5 years old by September 15th are not eligible). Free half-day options for 3 and 4 year-olds, free full-day options for children who are 4 years old by September 15th. Free full-day options for 3 year-olds are available at some sites. No spot is guaranteed.
- To sign up for the current school year or for Fall 2025, please call 515-242-7588 to make an appointment Birth verification and proof of income (tax return, or current FIP, or SSI) required.
What is Universal Preschool and how do I sign up?
- Also known as UPK, is for children who are 4 years-old by September 15th, the year they will begin preschool. (Children who are 5 years old by September 15th are not eligible). Half-day options are free, full day options- parent pays or 1 unit of childcare assistance. First come first serve basis.
- To apply for Universal Preschool for the current 2024-2025 school year please call 515-242-7588.
- 2025-2026 Universal Preschool online application will be available beginning March 2025.
What is the difference between Head Start and UPK?
- Head Start is free of charge, but you have to qualify with your income. Head Start accepts children who are 3 and 4 years old by September 15th the year they will begin preschool. No spot is guaranteed.
- For Universal Preschool, only the half days are free, full days cost or we take childcare assistance. Universal Preschool only accepts children who are 4 years old by September 15th the year they will begin preschool. First come first serve basis.
- Both programs have the same curriculum.
Can I apply for both Head Start and Universal Preschool?
- Yes, as long as your child will be 4 years by September 15th, you can apply for both programs. (Children who are 5 years old by September 15th are not eligible). If accepted, your child may only attend one program
Do I need to make an appointment for a Head Start application or Universal Preschool application?
- For Head Start, yes you have to make an appointment by calling 515-242-7588.
- For Universal Preschool, no appointment needed, the Universal Preschool application will be available on this website beginning in March.
Am I assigned a Preschool site or do I get to choose?
- For most of our options you may choose which preschool you would like your child to attend. Please see information about exceptions below:
- To be eligible for transportation you must live with in the boundaries of the school and live 1.5 miles away.
- To be eligible for the free full-day UPK classrooms at Capitol View, Carver, Garton, Greenwood, Jackson, and Madison applicants must live within DMPS school boundaries (or have an older sibling currently enrolled in DMPS)and must meet income guidelines.
Is transportation provided?
DMPS will provide transportation to preschool students in our 9 school locations (Capitol View, Carver, Garton, Greenwood, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, McKinley, Moulton) if the student lives within the school’s boundary and more than 1.5 miles from school. Transportation will also be provided to and from daycares/childcares within the approved area.
We also provide transportation to the four early childhood centers (McKee, Mitchell, JF Taylor, and Woodlawn) if students live within the center’s boundary and more than 1.5 miles from the center.
What if my child was born a few days after the September 15th deadline?
- In order to apply, children have to be 3 or 4 years old by September 15th. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions.
Do I need to pay for Head Start or UPK?
- Head Start is free of charge; you do not have to pay. For Universal Preschool, half-day classes are free of charge, there is a cost for full-day classes.
If my child is three and I don’t qualify for Head Start can I pay for it?
- There is no option to pay for Head Start. Head Start is a free program.