KCAO provides a multitude of preschool services for low to moderate income families. Families and individuals can enroll in the following preschool programs based on their eligibility.
Centralized Eligibility List
The CEL was developed by California Department of Education, Child Development Division. The CEL combines all subsidized child care programs wait list into one and enables families access to all programs for which they would qualify, by submitting one application. To be eligible to be placed on the CEL a family must meet at least one of the following needs: employment, seeking employment, training for a vocational goal, medically incapacitated (doctor approved), or seeking state preschool. To apply to the list the family will need to fill out an application and submit it to KCAO CEL. The wait time varies for the CEL and eligibility is determined by family size, income, need, availability of funds and not by wait time.
Download the CEL Application (English)
Download the CEL Application (Español)
California State Preschool Program
CA State Preschool program (CSPP) is a part-day comprehensive developmental program for three to five year old children from low income families. The program emphasizes parent education and encourages parent involvement. In addition to preschool education activities that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for the children, served, the state preschool programs provide meals or snack to children, referrals to health and social services for families, and staff development opportunities to employees. These programs are administered through local educational agencies, colleges, community action agencies, and private nonprofit agencies. Families looking to apply for this program will need to apply through the Centralized Eligibility List and meet the need and eligibility requirements. Enrollment is based on family size, income and available program funds.
Center Based General Child Care
Center Based General Child Care (CCTR) is funded with State and Federal funds. It provides subsidized child care services to low to moderate income families. Parents must be working, in training for a vocational goal, incapacitated (verified by a doctor), seeking employment or referred by Department of Human Services, or Child Protective Services. This program provides child development services for children ages birth to 5 years of age. These programs provide an educational component that is developmentally, culturally, linguistically appropriate for the children served. Meals and snacks are also provided to children, parent education, referrals to health and social services for families, and staff development opportunities to employees. Families looking to apply for this program will need to apply through the Centralized Eligibility List and meet the need and eligibility requirements. Enrollment is based on family size, income and available program funds.
