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.


Enrollment and registration for the 2024-2025 Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP) will begin at noon on Monday, January 8, 2024.

NEW THIS YEAR: Parents and guardians may enroll and register students ONLINE beginning at NOON on Monday, January 8. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW PROCESS

To learn about possible openings for the current 2023-2024 school year, please contact the school or participating community preschool you are interested in.


Participation Requirements

Students enrolling in the FREE four-year-old voluntary preschool program must meet two requirements:

How to Enroll and Register

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. 


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.
  • Any preschool slots remaining after the first day of preschool will be available for tuition-paying three- and five-year-olds.

Be advised that at any time the Iowa State Legislature may consider proposals that could reduce or eliminate funding for some preschool programs.

Lynn Glaser
Early Childhood Facilitator
lglaser@dbqschools.org
563/552-5863


NEW Preschool Center (Opening Fall 2024)

The Dubuque Community School District is excited to open 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 the new center and let us know you are interested.

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.


2023-2024 Preschool Family Handbook (PDF)