There are SO many resources within our community and the more I look the more I find so I will keep updating it as I find! Tried to compile all the resources for Preschools, note that many have some requirements in terms of income and developmental needs so see their websites for full details! If you know of additional resources let me know! I know many preschools not listed on here also offer scholarships if needed that cover some of the costs! So worth reaching out to individual preschools if you have one you are interested and see if that is an option!
BOTH COUNTIES-
Benton Franklin Head Start- Early Head Start serves pregnant moms and children ages Birth-3, in their home environment.Part Day Head Start Preschool-3.5 hours a day/4 days a week at the following locations:
Jason Lee-1750 McMurray Ave. P#3 & 4, Richland
Marcus Whitman-1704 Gray St, Richland
Martin Luther King-205 S. Wehe, Pasco
Sunset Ridge-6215 Burden Blvd, Pasco-Sunset Ridge, also has one Afternoon ECEAP class!
Duration Head Preschool- 6.5 hours day-4 days a week and 4 hours on Friday at the following locations:
Benton City-313 #B Third Street, Benton City
Children’s Center-1549 Georgia Ave, Richland
East Kennewick-712 S. Washington, Kennewick (Opening Soon!)
Sunset Ridge-6215 Burden Blvd, Pasco
Eligibility is determined by:
Age of the Child:
- Early Head Start serves pregnant moms and children up to age 3;
- Head Start serves children ages 3-5 by August 31st
Income Guidelines:
- Families must meet the 2021 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- We reserve 10% of enrollment opportunities for families with a child with a diagnosed disability that has an IFSP or IEP.
To find out if you qualify and to apply, please fill out the Benton Franklin Head Start Interest Letter English or Spanish, and we will contact you shortly to set up an Application appointment.
Interest Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehlGCMK6xP76lT4SnEsFC4mon9NbemHLl7dQ3MCWAcnfG3bw/viewform
Website: https://bfhs.net/
BEZOS Academy in Pasco- Currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year.
To be eligible for the 2025-26 school year, your child must be three or four years old by September 1, 2025, with a birthdate between September 2, 2020 – September 1, 2022. Children who will be five years old by September 1, 2024 are not age-eligible for the 2024-25 school year.
Bezos Academy admits new students through a random lottery drawing. Preference in lotteries is given to income eligible children who are experiencing homelessness or living in foster care, siblings of Bezos Academy students, children of Bezos Academy employees, and students transferring from another Bezos Academy location. If you apply after the lottery date, your child will either receive a seat or be waitlisted, depending on if we have filled the seats in the school.
We ask families to make every effort to ensure their child is toilet trained by the first day of school. In addition, eligibility is determined by family income. A family is defined as all persons living in the same household who are supported by the child’s parent(s)’ or guardian(s)’ income. To be eligible for Bezos Academy the child’s annual family income can be up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). See their website to apply!
PASCO-
ECEAP ESD 123-
ESD 123’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a “whole child,” comprehensive, family-focused preschool program that provides FREE services and support to eligible children and their families. The goal of ECEAP is to help ensure all Washington children enter kindergarten ready to succeed. (Open Houses this May see their website for info!)
Eligibility Requirements: Children must meet certain eligibility requirements. Children are eligible for ECEAP if they are:
- At least three years old, but not yet five years old, by 8/31/2022;
- Not simultaneously enrolled in Head Start;
- Meet one of the following criteria:
- Qualified by their school district for special education services under RCW 28A.155.020. All children with a school district Individualized Education Program (IEP) meet this requirement.
- Students with a school district IEP are given higher priority points, however, priority is based on a point system that identifies multiple risk factors for each child. For more information on this point system, see the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) website.
- From a family with income at or below 110% of the federal poverty guidelines established by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Children who are eligible for ECEAP are not automatically enrolled.
Programs held at:
- Early Learning Center
- Lakeview
- Whittier Elementary School
- Virgie Robinson Elementary School
ECEAP Office: 509.544.5704
Website with Interest Form: https://www.esd123.org/services/eceap
Transitional Kindergarten Pasco School District- transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a kindergarten program for children, below the age of five, who do not have access to high-quality early learning experiences prior to kindergarten and they have been identified by the district, through a screening process, to be in need of additional preparation to be successful in kindergarten the following year.
https://www.psd1.org/Page/12596
Pasco School District Early Learning Center-Thanks to state, federal, and local funding, the Pasco School District is able to offer free preschool to qualifying families!
A good foundation in preschool can make a lasting difference in a child’s academic development. Research shows the earlier a student starts learning, the more successful they will be. Our preschool programs provide high quality, equitable learning experiences designed to support the whole child. Our Early Learning Center supports all children as members of our school community, helping them feel a sense of belonging, to establish positive relationships, and to develop to their full potential. Our goal is to provide each child with an enthusiasm towards learning, and a safe and nurturing environment while developing skills. Daily ScheduleMorning Session: 9:30 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Afternoon Session: 1:00 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.
1315 North 7th Avenue Pasco, WA 99301 Phone: 509-416-7848 Fax: 509-416-7849 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pasco 0-3 Program is through- The Children’s Developmental Center provides Early Intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years old) with developmental delays or disabilities who live in Pasco. They provide the following services for families:
- social-emotional
- communication
- motor
- cognitive
- self-help
Parents, families, childcare providers, and medical providers with a concern about a child’s development may make a referral by contacting the Children’s Developmental Center.
Team includes:
Family Resources Coordinator
Special Instruction
Occupational Therapy
Speech Language Pathology
Pediatric Incontinence
Applied Behavior Analysi
Pasco School District 3-5 Resources-
Pasco School District offers programs and services for children ages 3 to 5 years who live within the school district boundaries and qualify for special education services.
Screenings are provided for possible developmental delays in the areas of:
- adaptive
- cognitive
- communication
- motor and social skills
If your family is living in a temporary situation, you may contact the district where you are currently staying for a screening. Parents, families, childcare providers, preschools, and medical providers with a concern about a child’s (3 to 5 years old) development may make a referral by contacting the Early Learning Center at 509-416-7119 or submitting an online referral below.
Website with Referral Form: https://www.psd1.org/Page/12600
Pasco Preschool Services- Website and Referral Form for all services some income based and some based on developmental need:https://www.psd1.org/Page/12596
Online Resources Through Pasco School District for Preschool Age Kids: https://www.psd1.org/Page/12598
INSPIRE Pasco- Fill out an application and it stays for 2 years.
ECAEP- (Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program)- Morning and PM Class
MSEHS (Migrant Services Early Head Start)– For Pregnant women who work in warehouses with 9 hours of services and transport
EHS (Headstart)– Home based programs with home visits with with home educators. Work whenever. Pregnant women to 3 years of age. Offer development for kids.
Eligibility- Income based on family size. They said worth filling out an application because it is based on entire application.
Pasco 1 CDC (509) 839-8518
315 West Court Street
Pasco, WA 99301
Programs Offered:
MSHS – ECEAP – MSEHS – EHS
RICHLAND-
ESD 0-3 Year Old Eval Resource-Richland School District (Richland & West Richland)-
Birth to 3 program- Early Intervention services designed to enable children ages birth to 3 with developmental delays or disabilities to be active and successful during the early childhood years and in the future in a variety of settings- home, childcare, preschool, school and in communities.
Delays- Social Emotional, communication, motor, cognitive and self help. Their team has Family Resource Coordinators, Birth to three teachers, Early Intervention Specialists, Speech Language Pathologists, Feeding support, Physical Therapists, Autism Specialists, Sensory support, Behavioral support and Teacher of the deaf and visually impaired.
Referral Process-
- Hand out developmental milestones
- Fill out developmental inquiry or Agency referral
- Short form- reason for inquiry- what are you seeing?
They will contact you within 3 days by Early Intervention team and a Family Resource Coordinator (FRC)
Eligibility- based on evaluation & if developmental delays or disabilities fall within their services.
Website with Contacts & Milestone/Forms: https://www.esd123.org/services/early_intervention
Transitional Kindergarten Richland School District-Transitional Kindergarten is a FREE, full-day early entrance kindergarten program aimed at helping children build social and basic academic skills so they can transition to a school setting and be successful in the classroom.
Eligible students include those who
- are age 4 and up and will be entering kindergarten in the next school year;
- have had limited or no experience in a formal preschool or other learning environment;
- have had limited social experiences and
- families are not eligible for needs-based early learning programs such as Head Start or Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP).
Applications are available online and at the ELC at 1525 Hunt Ave. in Richland. Families who submit an application will be contacted about classroom availability for their child and next steps in the application process.
https://elc.rsd.edu/school/transitional-kindergarten
https://elc.rsd.edu/services/assessment
1525 Hunt Ave., Richland, WA 99354
Phone: (509) 967 – 6082
Richland School District Early Learning Center-The Early Learning Center (ELC) is home to the district’s early learning initiatives, including:
- half-day developmental preschool and
- half-day and full-day Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)
- full-day Transitional Kindergarten
Services include: Assessment, Family Support Services, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Pathologists.
https://www.rsd.edu/programs/early-learning-preschool-programs
KENNEWICK-
Kennewick School District Keewaydin Early Learning Center-
Preschool 3-5 years old
Developmental delays and preschool screening.
Set up an evaluation
124 S. Conway Pl.
509-222-5028
KSD Services for 0-3 Children’s Developmental Center STATE-
Special instruction speech and language support and occupational therapy.
Serving KSD & PSD
509-735-1026 Ext. 2
Kennewick School District- ECAEP- Preschool-
Morning, afternoon and full day options.
At Amistad Elementary
Must be at least 3 years old (and not 5) by Aug. 31st of school year.
Parent/guardian must meet income requirements and live within Kennewick School District Boundaries
Fill out application
https://www.ksd.org/programs/eceap
509-222-5027
Transitional Kindergarten KSD-
Kennewick School District’s Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program is currently offered at Amistad and Washington elementary schools for priority-based students on a space available basis.
Transitional Kindergarten is for children whose fifth birthday is after Sept. 1 and who not have access to high-quality early learning experiences prior to kindergarten. Additionally, they have been deemed by the school district, through a screening process, to be in need of additional preparation to be successful in kindergarten the following year.
Benefits of Transitional Kindergarten
- Free, full-day program at Amistad and Washington elementary schools
- Early introduction and easy transition into kindergarten in a small classroom setting with up to 15 students
- Opportunity to grow academically, socially and emotionally in an environment that is the perfect balance of fun and education
- Students gain confidence and self-control
- High-quality education from a certificated teacher and paraeducator support
- Participation in physical education, library, music and technology classes
- Free bus transportation and meals (breakfast, lunch, snacks)
- Students ready to attend their boundary school when they enter kindergarten in the fall
Class Schedule
8:40 a.m. – 3:17 p.m.
Monday – Friday
Jan. 31 – June 15, 2022
Questions?
Amistad Elementary
Principal Andy Woehler
(509) 222-5100
andy.woehler@ksd.org
Washington Elementary
Principal Kim Lembeck
(509) 222-6200
kim.lembeck@ksd.org
https://www.ksd.org/programs/transitional-kindergarten
INSPIRE Kennewick-
ECAEP- (Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program)- Morning and PM Class Kennewick CDC
509-839-8568
16 North Huntington Street
Kennewick, WA 99336
Programs Offered:
ECEAP
Other FREE Programs offered in our area for Kids 0-5-
READY for Kindergarten Free for Kennewick and Pasco Residents can sign up any child 0-5 years old. You complete online interactive workshops at any time you want within the session dates and then receive learning tools and books to go with what you learned. It has been really neat to hear easy ways to add specific learning that matches where they are at developmentally into our day to day lives
Pasco’s READY for Kindergarten is through Pasco School District-
Pasco: www.readyforkindergarten.org/pasco
Kennewick’s READY for Kindergarten is through Children’s Reading Foundation of Mid-Columbia-
Kennewick: https://www.readingforkindergarten.org/kennewick
(Richland does not currently have this program but if a Richland resident wants to be involved in it can contact Children’s Reading Foundation and participate for a fee)Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library- Free Book sent to your kiddo ages 0-5 every month! https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/
Know of More FREE Resources for Kids 0-3 in Tri-Cities WA that aren’t listed here?
Email us at tricitiestoddler@gmail.com