Preschool
Early learning leads to lifelong learning!
High-quality preschool helps prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond. And what’s better? Four-year-old preschool is FREE for every Iowa child who is four by September 15 thanks to funding from the state.
NOTE: Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year will begin in December 2024. Check back for more details in late November!
Enrollment and registration for the 2024-2025 Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP) will begin at noon on Monday, January 8, 2024.
NEW for 2024-2025: Parents and guardians may enroll and register students ONLINE beginning at NOON on Monday, January 8, 2024. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW PROCESS
Participation Requirements
Students enrolling in the FREE four-year-old voluntary preschool program must meet two requirements:
| 1 | Your child MUST reside in the State of Iowa (preschool does not follow district home-school boundaries, so you can register at the school you wish) |
| 2 | Your child MUST BE four years old by September 15, 2024 |
How to Enroll and Register in Preschool for the 2024-2025 School Year
Space may be limited in some facilities and enrollment applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be time-stamped and are not considered complete until proof of age and proof of residency are submitted.
| 1 | COMPLETE AND SUBMIT ONLINE ENROLLMENT APPLICATION |
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To enroll in a district elementary school-based preschool: Complete the online enrollment form using the ENROLL NOW link below. View the New Student Enrollment + Registration Guide (PDF) for instructions on how to complete enrollment and registration. To enroll in a participating community preschool: Please contact the preschool to request the link to their online enrollment application. View the Online Enrollment Guide for Community Partner Preschools (PDF) for instructions on how to complete online enrollment. |
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| 2 | SUBMIT REQUIRED DOCUMENTS |
The following documents are required for preschool enrollment:
See REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for details including ways to submit. Enrollment applications will not be considered complete until these documents have been submitted. |
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| 3 | SUBMIT REQUIRED PAPERWORK |
The following required paperwork must be submitted before the first day of school:
See REQUIRED PAPERWORK for details including ways to submit. Students will NOT be allowed to attend school without all required documents on file with the district. To ensure your student’s enrollment application is complete and processed by the first day of the 2024-2025 school year, it is recommended that all required paperwork be submitted no later than Friday, August 9, 2024. |
Please note:
- Your child may not attend free preschool for two years.
- Your child may not attend free preschool if they are five on or before September 15, 2024.
- After the last day of the current school year, any available preschool slots for the upcoming school year will be made available for tuition-paying three- and five-year-olds at both district elementary school-based preschools and participating community preschools.
Be advised that at any time the Iowa State Legislature may consider proposals that could reduce or eliminate funding for some preschool programs.
Kelli Buchenau
Enrollment Specialist
enrollment@dbqschools.org
563/552-3000
Lynn Glaser
Early Childhood Facilitator
lglaser@dbqschools.org
563/552-5863
NEW: Seedlings Preschool Center (Opening Fall 2024)
The Dubuque Community School District is excited to open Seedlings Preschool Center a new 18,000-square-foot new state-of-the-art preschool center in Dubuque’s industrial center for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Located in the soon-to-be-renovated former Medline building on Chavenelle Road, the center will also offer streamlined access to wrap-around child care programming in the adjacent Dubuque Community Y Early Learning Center.
Learn more about SEEDLINGS PRESCHOOL CENTER!
The following district elementary schools will offer free morning or afternoon preschool for four-year-olds:
Audubon
Bryant
Carver
Eisenhower
Hoover
Irving
Kennedy
Lincoln
Marshall
Prescott
Sageville
Table Mound
A number of community partners also offer preschool through the State-Wide Voluntary Preschool Program. These partner programs follow the same teacher education, curriculum, assessment, and quality standards as district preschool classrooms.
View the complete list of participating preschools.