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Pre-Application for FREE Preschool and Early Head Start Home Visiting

Pregnant women and families with kids Birth to 5 years in Kitsap and North Mason County may apply

By Olympic Educational Service District (OESD) 114’s Early Learning Department January 11, 2024

Olympic Educational Service District (OESD) 114’s Early Learning Department has opened the 2022–2023 online Family Pre-Application for FREE preschool and Early Head Start Home Visiting


The Olympic Educational Service District (OESD) Early Learning Department provides high-quality early learning experiences to help children and families develop the basic skills and concepts necessary for family success and kindergarten readiness. Pregnant women and families with children ages Birth to 5 years old in Kitsap and North Mason County may easily submit a pre-application online for our FREE Preschool (Head Start/ECEAP) and Early Head Start Home Visiting Programs.

The simple online process uses ChildPlus and Docusign, which allows parents/guardians to complete the pre-application, upload required documents and sign the application. Any family who is not able to access the online application may call OESD Early Learning for an alternative option for applying.  Once age and income documentation are received, a pre-application will be reviewed for consideration. A list of all required documents and guidance for applying for the program can be found at https://bit.ly/OESDVerify or on the OESD website www.oesd114.org/earlylearning.

You may be eligible for our services if you are pregnant or have a child age birth to 5 years old AND:

  • Are from a family up to 36% state median income (about $38,000 for a family of 4) or
  • Are from a tribal family up to 100% state median income (about $100,000 for a family of 4) or
  • Child is in foster care or kinship care or
  • Receive Public Assistance (SNAP, SSI, TANF) or
  • Qualify for school district special education services or
  • Experiencing homelessness or 
  • Participated in ESIT, ECLIPSE, Early Head Start, or Early ECEAP or
  • Questions? We can help you find out if you're eligible

Acceptance in the program is based on age, income, risk factors, and eligibility.  A child must be three or four years old by August 31, 2022. Proof of income must be provided. 

Children and families will be offered a spot in the program based on income eligibility first. If vacancies remain, those will be filled using locally determined at-risk criteria and served in rank order.


More information about the OESD Early Learning FREE Preschool Programs is available at: 

Website: www.oesd114.org/earlylearning 

Email: ersea@oesd114.org 

Phone: 360.478.6889

Or feel free to join us at our online open houses held the 1st Tuesday of every month. 

Open House Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88175487925?pwd=ZHZ6VzF3djBwZGtxVFpOOXlBdDlidz09 


BREAKING NEWS!!!


New Federal Rule Allows SNAP (“food stamp”)  
Eligible Families to Enroll Their Children in Head Start 
Cuts Red Tape and Expands Eligibility 

On April 21st the Biden Administration issued new federal rules that allow families receiving SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) to enroll their children in Head Start. Previously, children could qualify if they were at or below the poverty level (with some exceptions), were in foster care, or living in a family receiving SSI or TANF.

The new change, now in effect, will streamline enrollment by simplifying the process because now parents will be able to just show their SNAP/EBT card or other proof of SNAP benefits in order to qualify for Head Start. The new policy also means that families that receive SNAP and are working will have an easier time qualifying. To apply for SNAP in Washington State a household’s gross income must be at or below 200% of the poverty level—a more flexible and reasonable eligibility policy that takes into consideration high cost of living states like Washington.

Apply Today: www.oesd114.org/earlylearning