Welcome to Early Childhood!

The Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Education Department provides children, ages prenatal to Five, and their families with a comprehensive, flexible program designed to reinforce and respond to the unique strengths and needs of each individual child and family. Programming is funded through State, federal and local sources. Funding from multiple sources allows the Early Childhood Program to operate 80 preschool classrooms and 6 early head start classrooms in 39 locations in Pittsburgh Public school buildings scattered throughout the city, at standalone sites at the Children's Museum, the Kamin Science Center and Northview Heights, as well as through our collaborations with over 25 local childcare partner agencies to provide comprehensive services for children and families.

 

Education Services

Frog Street Pre-K is a comprehensive curriculum that integrates literacy, math, science, social studies, and the creative arts into nine thematic units (approximately 1 theme per month).​ Conscious Discipline® is also embedded into the daily routines of the Frog Street curriculum to help support student social-emotional learning as well as help students to develop their self-regulation and problem-solving skills.  ​ 

Frog Street is uniquely positioned to empower educators to know not only what to teach but also the "how" and "why" of innovative instructional strategies to improve school readiness and sustain program effectiveness.  Frog Street includes adaptations for learners with diverse needs, such as dual-language learners, those with IEPs, and those performing above grade level. ​ 

The curriculum is aligned to the PA Early Learning Standards and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.​ 

All Early Childhood teachers hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree and PA certification in Early Childhood Education. Over 60% also have a Master’s Degree. ​ All Education Assistants (EAIIs) hold at least a CDA (Child Development Associate) credential or Associate’s Degree.

Health, Mental Health, and Disability Services

Emphasis is placed on early identification of health problems by providing comprehensive health, mental health and disability services. Medical and dental forms and immunization records should be completed prior to entering the program. Follow-up treatment is provided to children that have been identified with health or dental concerns. 

The Early Childhood Education Department also recognizes the importance of providing psychological services when needed to promote emotional and social development in children. Mental health professionals are available to provide training to staff and parents to help them identify if a child has special needs so that the appropriate support services can be implemented.

A network of support services is available for children with disabilities. These services allow for early identification and remediation involving diagnosis, consultation, referral, therapy and follow-up treatment. 

Services are provided to children with visual and/or hearing impairments, physical impairments and social and emotional learning disabilities. At least 10% of the total number of enrollment slots are made available to children with special needs. 

Nutrition Services

Children receive a minimum of one breakfast and one lunch each day, which satisfies one-third to two-thirds of their daily nutritional requirements. The Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) Food Service Department works closely with program staff to design meal plans that meet the proper nutritional needs for young children. Students that have been identified with special dietary needs receive specialized meal plans. 

Social Services

We have a full complement of social services support staff who provide outreach services to children and families and help to encourage parent participation in program activities. They also assist families with connecting with outside social service agencies and organizations through referrals, emergency assistance and crisis prevention/intervention services. The Early Childhood Education Department adheres to the common code of ethics and ensures confidentiality for all families. 

All Family Services Specialists have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in social work, counseling, child development, or a related field. Approximately 50% also hold a Master's Degree.​

Childcare Partnerships

We have established formal partnership agreements with a number of childcare agencies throughout the City that are able to provide extended-day programming. The Childcare Partnerships Program option mirrors the school-based classroom model that operates on a school year (10 months) schedule. Some childcare partner agencies offer extended-year services in the summer. All children enrolled through the childcare partnership option receive the following services:

• Support from program managers, education coaches and family service specialists;
• Frog Street curriculum;
• Kindergarten transition support services;
• Classroom field trip visits by early learning consultants and local organizations such as The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust/Gateway to the Arts, the Kamin Science Center, The Western PA Conservancy and many others;
• Comprehensive screenings, including developmental, vision, hearing and speech services.

The Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP) is a State-funded early childhood program that provides services to two hundred thirty one (231) children between the ages of 3 and 5. This is achieved through a combination of preschool slots in various Pittsburgh Public School classrooms, as well as partnerships with various community child care agencies that provide comprehensive support services to eligible children.  All childcare agencies are enrolled in the Keystone STARS Program, which is a state-wide, quality childcare enhancement program. Some sites are also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). For more information about this program option, please contact Jennifer Fustich, Grants Manager, at (412) 529-4590.

The Pennsylvania Pre-Kindergarten Counts (PA PKC) Program is a State-funded early childhood program that provides services to nine hundred fifty seven (957) children enrolled in various Pittsburgh Public School classrooms as well as various community early child care centers and licensed nursery schools. All childcare partner sites are either enrolled in the Keystone STARS program or licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).  For more information about this program option, please contact Amber Straub, Grants Manager, at (412) 529-8703.

If you've applied for space in one of our Pittsburgh Public school-based preschool classrooms and received a wait list notification, please click the link below to see additional options for enrolling your child at a childcare partner agency site. 

List of Childcare Partner Agencies

  

Early Head Start (EHS) Program

Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally-funded, comprehensive education and social services program for infants and toddlers (ages pre-natal to three). The program's goals are:

• to enhance the development of very young children;

• to promote healthy family functioning.

Early Head Start services are offered through center-based program options to 69 families. The center-based options are located in four high schools (Allderdice, Brashear, University Prep, and Westinghouse) and one early childhood center (Crescent).  Children enrolled in the Early Head Start program have the opportunity to transition to the preschool program when they turn 3 years old.

The Early Head Start Program also collaborates with 3 accredited infant/toddler childcare agencies in the City to provide comprehensive services to 20 children.

For more information about this program option, please call (412) 529-4291, Select Option 1.

Parent Engagement

Parents play the single most vital role in a child's growth, making parental involvement a cornerstone of effective early childhood education. By joining the Policy Council or its sub-committees, parents directly influence program planning and administrative decision-making. The Council works to ensure every child gets the fullest benefit from our comprehensive development program. All parents of enrolled children are invited to participate.

Parents have the opportunity to volunteer in their child's classroom as teacher aides, field trip chaperones, and assist with various activities that promote parent engagement. All volunteers must have current Act 33 (Child Abuse History) and Act 34 (Criminal Record Check) clearances as well as a recent TB test. Parents also have the ability to participate in events that promote their own personal growth and development and increase their knowledge and awareness about early learning standards through activities sponsored by the School District, and through federal and State education authorities such as the National Head Start Association (NHSA), the Pennsylvania Head Start Association (PHSA) and Trying Together. Through participation in classes, local meetings, workshops and webinars, parents learn about the educational, social, and emotional needs of their child and can collaborate with staff to learn best practices to become strong support systems for their families.

Family Options Programs

Since 2012, we have been able to expand program offerings to include tuition-based preschool slots for children whose family's household income exceeds 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.  The cost of tuition is $8,000 per academic school year (September - June). Families interested in this option should contact the main office at (412) 529-4291 (Select Option 2) to find out more information or inquire about slot openings.  Please note that we have a limited number of tuition-based slots that we can offer, so preferred placement is not guaranteed.

1. Why should I enroll my child in an early childhood program? Children who start behind, stay behind.  Research shows that 90% of children who are poor readers in the first grade will still read poorly by fourth grade. Evidence shows that children who have the benefit of a preschool education fair better on standardized tests.  Evidence also suggests that attending a preschool program may increase high school graduation rates.2. How old does my child have to be to enroll in the Early Childhood Program?  In the preschool program, children may enter at the time they turn three, regardless of the time of the year, as long as there is space available in a classroom. Children may stay in the program until they are age-eligible to enter kindergarten.  We also have an Early Head Start (EHS) component for children ages prenatal to three.  Please see the Program Options and Services section for more information.

3. Does my child have to live in the Pittsburgh Public School District to attend the Early Childhood Program? Yes.  Children must reside in the Pittsburgh Public School District. Enter your home address to determine the location of the closest school where you reside:  PPS Discover.  

4. Is there a fee for enrolling my child? Enrollment is based on certain eligibility criteria. Depending on your family income, you may qualify for a Federal or State-funded scholarship. 

There is a fee-for-service model (The Tuition-Based Options Program) for families whose income is 299% and above the federal poverty guidelines. Federal Poverty Level Guidelines.  The cost of tuition is $8,000 per academic school year (September - June).

5. Where are classrooms located? See list of classroom locations:  2025-26 Early Childhood Classroom List  Families may select up to 3 choices on their application.

6. Do I have to choose a school in my own neighborhood? Placement and enrollment are based on program eligibility and site availability, rather than enrollment feeder patterns.  Families are responsible for providing or arranging daily transportation to and from our sites.

7. How many days a week does the program operate? Children attend five days a week, Monday through Friday, for six hours a day.  The program runs from the last week in August through the first week in June. For hours of operation for a specific location, please view the list of classroom locations above.

8. How many children are in a class? Typically, there are up to 17 students per class with one teacher and one educational assistant in each preschool classroom. In the infant-toddler program, Early Head Start (EHS), the ratio is 1:3.

9. What will my child learn? The goal is to ensure children develop appropriate literacy, math, critical thinking and social skills to help them succeed in preschool and make a smooth transition to kindergarten. Children learn these skills by interacting with the teacher, their peers, and through exposure to the Frog Street curriculum, which focuses on promoting STEAM (Science, Technology, Education, Arts and Mathematics) learning. 

10.  How does the lottery process work?  The Early Childhood Program runs a separate lottery process for the preschool program.  We are not a part of the school district's magnet program enrollment process for grades K-12.  The lottery application period for preschool is February through March. The lottery is run in mid-April and parents are notified in mid-May. The application link updates every school year, so families must submit a new application if they are not accepted during that lottery period.During the lottery period, a child must be 3 years old by September 30 in the school year in which you are applying.  If you apply after the lottery window and/or your child is going to turn 3 years old after September 30, you can still apply as we will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis as space becomes available. Please apply 2 weeks before your child's 3rd birthday if born after September 30.