Learn your early education options with Pre-K DFW

Today, April 1, marks the launch of pre-K enrollment season for the 25-26 school year for three- and four-year-olds in Dallas County.  

Eight out of 10 three- and four-year-olds in Dallas County qualify for free pre-K. All of Dallas County’s public school districts offer pre-K to qualifying students, and several districts offer low-cost seats even for those who aren’t eligible for free tuition. But making the best choice for your family can be difficult without the right resources.

Our Pre-K DFW initiative connects families who may qualify for free pre-K to programs in their area, in addition to providing personalized updates and support throughout the enrollment process.

Each student in Dallas County deserves the opportunity to receive a quality education that sets up a lifetime of success. “High-quality early childhood education is one of the strongest investments we can make in a student’s educational journey,” says Allison Braley, pre-K program manager for Early Matters Dallas. “When we enroll 3- and 4-year-olds in high-quality pre-K across school districts, we are investing in the future of Dallas County.”  Research has shown that the return on investment for early learning programs is up to 13% year-over-year. Across Dallas County, school districts have bought-in to high quality pre-K. Despite a national trend showing post-Covid decline in pre-Kk enrollment, Dallas County schools saw double-digit gains in pre-K enrollment of both 3- and 4-year-olds post-COVID.

Data show that 90% of brain development occurs before the ages of 0 and 5, and with repeated, demonstrable evidence of benefits that continue throughout childhood and beyond, pre-K continues to be one of the best ways parents can open educational doors for their children. Pre-K introduces important foundations for learning skills presented in kindergarten and beyond.  

The National Association for the Education of Young Children says academic readiness means more than just knowing academic basics; instead, it means “a child has a willing attitude and confidence in the process of learning: a healthy state of mind.” Pre-K presents students an atmosphere that aids in social development, conflict-solving skills, and emotional regulation, all of which translate into positive long-term academic outcomes. The academic outcomes directly tied to pre-K enrollment support students throughout their education. Please reference the table below:

If you know someone with a pre-K- eligible child, please forward this blog post and let the family know that Pre-KDFW.org can serve as a resource to connect them with free programs and provide enrollment support. Follow @prek.dfw on Instagram for updates.