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Chicago Public Schools highlights free preschool options for children turning 3 and 4
Summary
Chicago Public Schools (City of Chicago SD 299) promoted its free, high-quality preschool, available in more than 370 elementary schools, emphasizing bilingual programs, supports for students with disabilities and how families can apply if their child turns 3 or 4 by Sept. 1.
Chicago Public Schools promoted expanded access to free preschool across the district, saying high-quality programs are available in more than 370 elementary schools and include bilingual classrooms and services for students with disabilities.
Chief McKinily, speaking for the district, said the system works to make preschool accessible to all families and highlighted program variety: "En del distrito, nos aseguramos de que el prekínder sea accesible para todas las familias y los niños en Chicago, ofreciendo programas bilingües y también programas que atienden las necesidades de nuestros estudiantes con discapacidades." The district also provided a concrete eligibility rule: families with children who will be 3 or 4 years old before Sept. 1 can apply.
Parents and students featured in the presentation described classroom progress and daily experiences. One parent said their child "antes de asistir a prekínder, era muy tímido, muy reservado" and that attending preschool made a substantial difference in confidence and early learning. Students gave short first-person remarks about activities they enjoy, including reading and recess; one student said, "Me encanta el preescolar."
District speakers stressed that preschool classrooms blend play and academics so children learn early literacy and social skills before kindergarten. The presentation listed ways families can search for programs by type (full day or half day), zone or ZIP code and called on families to apply now.
There were no formal votes or policy decisions recorded in this presentation. The district's outreach focused on enrollment information and program options; officials closed by urging families to apply, summarizing the program as "prekínder de alta calidad" and providing an enrollment prompt for parents.
For families seeking preschool, the district urged them to check program availability and application deadlines through Chicago Public Schools' enrollment resources.
