Washington Unified School District - Preschool: Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Preschool: Early Childhood Education (ECE)

The Washington Unified School District (WUSD) offers a free preschool program for children who reside in West Sacramento. The program is offered Monday through Friday for three hours a day, with morning and afternoon sessions. The California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division sets program qualifications, including age eligibility and age definitions, admission priorities, income ceilings, and residency requirements. Students must be 3 or 4 years old on or before December 1st of the fiscal year they are being served, or a child's 5th birthday occurs after September 1st of the fiscal year (parent opted to retain or not enroll into TK). Children turning 3 on or after Dec. 2nd of the fiscal year being served may be enrolled after their 3rd birthday.

Child Admission Priorities

5% of preschool enrollment is set aside for children with exceptional needs.

NOTE: Only the child in the family with exceptional needs may be enrolled in this enrollment category.

95% of preschool enrollment, when an opening is available, is accessed through the waiting list and contact families based on the following program Enrollment priorities:

First: The child is a recipient of Child Protective Services or is at risk of being neglected, abused, or exploited.
Second: Once the needs set aside are fulfilled, the child with exceptional needs is from an income-eligible family. Prioritize based on income ranking order.
Third: Eligible children not enrolled in Transitional Kindergarten. Prioritize children with the lowest income ranking first. If 2 or more children are within the same ranking, prioritize dual language learners based on the child on the waiting list for the longest time.

Fourth: Family income is not more than 15% above income threshold. Prioritize children with exceptional needs, then 4-year-olds, then 3-year-olds. (limited to 10% of funded enrollment)
Fifth: The family resides within the approved neighborhood school boundary. Prioritize based on income ranking order.
Sixth: Children enrolling in CSPP to provide expanded learning & care to Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten pupils (must meet eligibility criteria)

Effective July 1, 2024

Maximum Income 2nd , 3rd, & 6th Priorities

Family Size	Total Countable Monthly Income
1-2	7,759
3	8,790
4	10,249
5	11,889
6	13,529
7	13,837
8	14,144

Effective July 1, 2024

Maximum Income 4th Priority: (10% only)

Family Size	Total Countable Monthly Income
1-2	8,923
3	10,109
4	11,787
5	13,673
6	15,559
7	15,912
8	16,266

Enrollment

Once your interest form is received, it will be reviewed to determine eligibility. Families will be contacted by email, phone, or mail to find out the status of their interest form.

Students are enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s important to submit the interest form by the date used to determine the order of enrollment.
If, based on the information provided on the interest form, you are eligible for the program, you will be pre-qualified, and a preschool family support specialist will contact you to schedule a meeting.
Families will complete the status application at the meeting and provide proof of income. The state application is the official document used to verify income and determine eligibility.
If you meet all qualifications, a preschool enrollment packet will be provided, and you will be asked to provide additional documents. You must meet all requirements to qualify for our program.
Once you receive the enrollment packet, you must complete and submit all required paperwork and documentation, including an annual physical exam signed by your physician.
Children residing in the Washington Unified School District attendance area have priority over students living in other attendance areas. Families residing outside the Washington Unified School District attendance area will be admitted on a space-available basis.
The program welcomes and is prepared to serve differently abled children when it best meets their needs in the least restrictive environment. At times, redirecting children to facilities or resources that better meet their individual needs may be necessary.

For more information please take a look at our family Handbook.


Riverbank 1100 Carrie Street West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 375-7700	Southport 2747 Linden Road West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 375-7890	Stonegate 2500 La Jolla Street West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 375-0960	Westfield 1100 Clarendon Street West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 375-7720