Delaware Explained: A Guide to Preschool Options in the First State
- Sussex County Republican Committee
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 11
July 9, 2026
Why Should Delaware Care?
Families have said accessing preschool in the First State can be increasingly frustrating with limited access to high-quality centers. Spotlight Delaware breaks down what parents need to know about accessing preschool and how centers are funded.
By the end of this summer, 3-year-olds across Delaware will be able to begin their preschool journey.
But where families can enroll their children, and whether they can get a spot at all, can depend on how a preschool is funded.
Unlike in K-12 education, Delaware does not provide universal public funding for preschool.
Instead, the state’s early childhood education system is made up of a patchwork of school district programs, state-funded private preschools, and even community programs that require parent participation. Each carries different funding streams and eligibility requirements.
While Delaware government distributes dollars to K-12 schools based on the number of students enrolled, school districts only receive such funding for their preschool programs for special education students. Preschool students who do not have disabilities do not generate those state dollars.
Although they do not receive funding for students without disabilities, school districts still maintain inclusion targets with the Delaware Department of Education that encourage students with disabilities’ participation in regular early childhood programs.
To meet those targets and enroll more students without disabilities, some school districts have used lottery systems for their preschool programs.
One of those is the Cape Henlopen School District. Audrey Dempsey, supervisor of Elementary Education and Early Learning at the district, said she often receives phone calls from families of students without a disability trying to find a spot in the preschool program. But frequently none are available if the family has not secured one through the lottery.
“It’s very difficult to hear their stories and then say, ‘I’m sorry we don’t have space,’ or ‘We don’t have a slot for you at this time,’” she said.
As a result, Dempsey said some families try to get their children evaluated for disabilities to help their chances of being enrolled in their district’s preschool.
“Even though it’s a random lottery, you receive phone calls of, ‘Please, what can I do? I really need this for my child,’” Dempsey said. “Some try the evaluation route…they want support and resources for their children.”
Preschools outside of school districts
Preschools that are not operated by school districts can also partner with the Delaware Department of Education and receive state funding.
The State Funded Early Care and Education Partners program provide services for eligible families of infants, toddlers, and 3 -and 4-year-olds.
Those partners include a range of preschool providers in the state, such as the Kingswood Community Center in Wilmington and the Dover Boys and Girls Club.
Families are eligible to apply if their income is equal to or below the federal poverty level, if they have children in foster care, if they’re a family with children experiencing homelessness, or if they’re a family with children with documented delays or disabilities.
Private preschools typically receive funding through tuition paid by families, but can also receive specific federal or state grants.
Is financial assistance available?
Many families expressed to Spotlight Delaware their concerns regarding the high cost of preschool programs. Some parents said they feel like they work simply to pay for their children’s preschool.
But there are some programs that qualifying families can look toward for financial assistance.
Low-income families can apply for Delaware’s Purchase of Care program to subsidize child care expenses for early learning.
Eligible families can then choose from centers that accept Purchase of Care payments, and the state will use available funds to reimburse the provider.
Federal subsidies from the Child Care & Development Block Grant have also helped Delaware families with lower incomes afford childcare costs.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs both support eligible children from low-income families, children with disabilities, and children experiencing homelessness from birth until they enter kindergarten. Early Head Start programs offer services to pregnant women as well.
Some preschool providers also partner with the Delaware Early Childhood Center’s Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP). Under the federally funded program, qualifying families have access to preschool for children ages 3 through 5 years old.
What are the pre-K options?
While Delaware does not have universal pre-K, the state Department of Education does provide a list of state-funded private programs that partner with its Office of Early Learning.
Families can also choose to enroll their children in cooperative homeschool groups, which allow parents to take a role in their child’s education.
Instructors often lead these classes, but parents stay on site with their children and participate in activities.
Finally, the following school districts operate preschool programs:
