Enrollment Open for State Preschool Part-day

Are you looking for a high-quality preschool program to support your child's development? Part-day State Preschools provide free services for children at centers all over the county. Applications for our Part-Day Programs will open on April 15th for the 2026-27 school year. 

Income guidelines may be higher than you think! A family of four can make up to $13,038 a month and still qualify. Students with IFSPs and IEPs may qualify regardless of income.

About State Preschool

The California State Preschool Program (CSPP) offers free to low-cost preschool services for eligible families based on income and family size guidelines set by the State of California. Programs are available five days a week and include both part-day and full-day options, depending on location. Families with the highest incomes may still qualify for low fees in full-day programs.

Programs vary by community. Two-year-olds are currently served at Greenwood, Leggett Valley, Potter Valley, and Shanel Valley. Some sites also offer co-teaching teams with Special Education teachers. Families are encouraged to visit their local program to see the learning environment and meet staff.

Eligibility

There are several ways families may qualify for State Preschool. The most common is through income eligibility. Children with IFSPs or IEPs may qualify regardless of income.

To qualify for full-day programs, families must also demonstrate a need for services. Please contact us for more information.

Part-Day Program Enrollment Process

Enrollment Window: April 15-May 1, 2026

Submit an Application
Complete the application, upload required documents, and submit during the enrollment period. Families who apply during this timeframe will be enrolled first. Additional openings may be available afterward.

Application Review
MCOE staff will review applications and contact families if corrections or additional information are needed.

Notification of Status
Families are selected using California Department of Education guidelines. Families will be notified of their acceptance status in May 2026.

Enrollment Intake
Accepted families will complete a 15-20 minute enrollment intake phone call. Once complete, students will be fully enrolled and ready to attend in August 2026.

Part-day programs are offered at: Point Arena, Brookside, Calpella, Children’s Garden, Laytonville, Peachland, Preschool Village, Redwood, Round Valley, Small Wonders, and YokNok State Preschools.

Full-Day Program Enrollment Process

Enrollment Window: July 15-August 1, 2026

Submit an Application
Complete the application, upload required documents, and submit during the enrollment period. Families who apply during this timeframe will be enrolled first. Additional openings may be available afterward.

Application Review
MCOE staff will review applications and notify families if corrections or additional information are needed.

Notification of Status
Families are selected using California Department of Education guidelines. Families will be notified of their acceptance status as soon as possible in August 2026.

Enrollment Intake
Accepted families will complete a 15-20 minute enrollment intake phone call. Once complete, students will be fully enrolled and ready to attend in August 2026.

Full-day programs are programs longer than four hours. They are offered at Greenwood, Leggett Valley, Potter Valley, Shanel Valley, and Talmage State Preschools. Hours vary by site.

Contact Information

For help with enrollment or eligibility:

Carlee Mills (English)
(707) 467-5140
cmills@mcoe.us

Jose Najera Martinez (English/Spanish)
(707) 467-5103
jnm@mcoe.us

Download informational fliers here (PDF English | PDF Spanish). 

Click here for more information about the State Preschool Program in Mendocino County.