Educational Resources for Young
Children and Families in Tacoma
Kindergarten Programs
For children who are 5 years old on or before August 31. All elementary schools
offer full-day kindergarten programs.
Preschool Programs
Head Start, 253.571.1948
For qualifying children from low-income families, age 4 by March 31st of each program year
ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program), 253.571.1870
For qualifying children from low-income families, age 4
Special Education Preschool, 253.571.2610
For qualifying children identified as having special needs (based on a special
education evaluation), ages 3 to 5. Low-cost Peer spaces are available at
most special education preschool sites for age-eligible, community children
without special needs.
Title I Preschool, 253.571.1111
Communication/language program. Must live in attendance area of a Title I
school. Currently program is available at Bryant and Whitman,
age 4
Screening Programs
ChildFind, Tacoma School District, 253.571.2610, ages birth to 5
Child Reach, Pierce County Action Agency, 253.798.3698, ages birth to 6
www.co.pierce.wa.us, select Family Assistance under Services.
Other Family Resources and Community Programs
Family Literacy Program: ESL and GED classes for parents (at Madison/TSD), 253.571.1887
Child Care Referral, 253.591.2025, free referral to licensed care centers
Bates Technical College Home and Family Life Dept., 253.680.7500,
www.bates.ctc.edu; Parent Infant/Toddler Program, ages 0-2; Co-opPreschools, ages 2-5
Metropolitan Parks Dept., 253.305.1000, www.metroparkstacoma.org-South End Neighborhood Center, 253.591.5098-South Park Community Center, 253.591.5299
-People’s Neighborhood Resource Center, 253.591.5321
-Portland Ave Neighborhood Resource Center, 253.591.5391
United Way Help Line, call 211, or toll free 1.877.211.9274, www.uwpc.org