Looking for free Preschool in Erie, Venango, or Crawford County?

Now enrolling for the 2025-2026 school year! We offer free, subsidized and private pay preschool programs for children ages 3 to 5 across Venango, Crawford and Erie counties in Pennsylvania.

These full-day programs are designed to give all children an early educational boost that will help them make a successful transition to kindergarten. Children thrive in our nurturing environments, vibrant classrooms and on our expansive playgrounds!

Our nurturing teachers paired with our research-based curriculum fosters confidence in the classroom, appreciation of diverse perspectives and a lifelong love for learning. The Creative Curriculum we follow specifically focuses on reading, math, social and school readiness skills, following directions and getting along with fellow students and teachers.

All of our programs include a free and nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack each day! Potty training is also seamlessly integrated into our classrooms, which are equipped with convenient built-in bathrooms for a hassle-free experience.

While enrollments in our Private Pay program are on a first-come, first-served basis, Head Start and Pre-K Counts enrollments are based on eligibility requirements. To learn more, please click on the links below!

To complete our online enrollment form, please scroll down.

Head Start & HSSAP
Head Start & HSSAP
Head Start is the federal government’s free preschool program for children (ages 3-5) from low-income households. Head Start at CDC is a full-day program that is intended to prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten and elementary school. All children thrive in our nurturing environments, vibrant classrooms and on our expansive playgrounds! CDC also provides a nutritional breakfast, lunch and snack each day at no cost to families.
In addition to early childhood education, Head Start offers several services that support each child’s health, development and family well-being. CDC offers Head Start in Venango, Crawford and Erie counties, and even includes free transportation at select locations!
CDC's Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP) is identical to Head Start but is funded by the state instead of the federal government. The HSSAP program allows CDC to expand our services so that more children and families can benefit from these impactful services.
Like Head Start, HSSAP is an entirely free program for children (ages 3 to 5) from low-income households. This full-day program is designed to prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten and elementary school. All children thrive in our nurturing environments, vibrant classrooms and on our expansive playgrounds!
When children graduate our programs, they are not only academically and socially prepared for elementary school, but they are also confident in themselves, appreciative of diversity and eager to keep on learning!
To qualify for either program, a family’s income must be at or below the federal poverty level – currently $32,150 for a family of four – for their children to enroll in this free program.
Your child also automatically qualifies if:
- You receive Food Stamps
- You receive TANF, SSI or Cash Assistance
- You are fostering a child
- You do not rent or own your own home
To enroll your child in either program at CDC, please fill out the form at the bottom of the previous page. If you feel that you will not qualify for these programs, please click on the Pre-K Counts box on the previous page, which is an identical, free preschool program for families at higher income levels.

Head Start Website
Pre-K Counts

Pre-K Counts

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is a state-funded pre-kindergarten learning program for children ages 3 to 5. Pre-K Counts at CDC is a full-day program that is designed to prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten and elementary school. All children thrive in our nurturing environments, vibrant classrooms and on our expansive playgrounds! CDC also provides a nutritional breakfast, lunch and snack each day at no cost to families.
To qualify for this free program, a family’s income must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty level – currently, a family of 4 can make up to $96,450 per year and still qualify for this free program!
When children graduate our Pre-K Counts program, they are not only academically and socially prepared for elementary school, but they are also confident in themselves, appreciative of diversity and eager to keep on learning!
To enroll your child in Pre-K Counts at CDC, please fill out the form at the bottom of the previous page. If you feel that you will not qualify for this program, please click on the Tuition-Based Preschool box on the previous page, which is an identical, preschool program for families at higher income levels.
Private Pay Preschool

Private Pay Preschool

CDC’s private pay preschool program is a full-day program that is designed to prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten and elementary school. All children thrive in our nurturing environments, vibrant classrooms and on our expansive playgrounds! CDC also provides a nutritional breakfast, lunch and snack each day at no cost to families.
Our preschool programs focus on reading, math, social and school readiness skills, following directions and getting along with fellow students and teachers. When children graduate our programs, they are not only academically and socially prepared for elementary school, but they are also confident in themselves, appreciative of diversity and eager to keep on learning!
To see our rates and to learn more about enrolling your child into our tuition-based program, please fill out the form at the bottom of the previous page. CDC also partners with the Early Learning Resource Center in Venango, Crawford and Erie counties to help with tuition assistance. To learn more about this partnership, please click on the Financial Assistance box on the previous page.
Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance

The Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) operates Pennsylvania’s childcare subsidy program across the state, including Venango, Crawford and Erie counties. The ELRC helps income-eligible families find and pay for childcare and early childhood education (including summer, before- and after-school care) so that parents can work or attend school.
Many families are not aware that they and their childcare provider are eligible for ELRC funding. As CDC is a qualified provider, you can learn more about your eligibility for tuition assistance by reaching out to one of the ELRC offices below:
(814) 836-5898
3823 West 12th Street, Erie, PA 16505
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) funds the ELRC childcare subsidy program.
HS/PKC Enrollment Flowchart
Locations

Preschool starts in August! Spots are filling up quickly. Complete the form below to save your child’s seat in one of our preschool programs!

A member of our team will call you within two weeks to confirm your child's eligibility for our Head Start, Pre-K Counts or Private Pay preschool program.

Private Pay enrollments are determined by income and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
If deemed eligible for Head Start or Pre-K Counts, please click here to track your application status on our enrollment flowchart.
For all enrollment questions, please contact our Enrollment Coordinator, Cat Sullivan, at 814-480-9472!

Child's Name

First Name *

Last Name *

Child's Birthday (Required)

Address

Country

Address Line 1 *

City *

State/Province *

Postal Code *

Primary Contact Name

First Name *

Last Name *

Primary Contact's Birthday (Required)

Relationship to Child (Required)

Relationship to Child

Country

Address Line 1 *

City *

State/Province *

Postal Code *

pmzi4dy576k6

Email (Required)

Phone (Required)

Phone

Did your child attend an Early Head Start Program?

Did your child attend another Head Start Program? (If yes, please site below)

If you answered yes to either of the above question, please site:

Is your child involved with Children, Youth, & Families?

Yes (If yes, please provide the caseworker's name below)
No

If your child is involved with Children, Youth, & Families, please list their caseworker.

Is your child a Foster Child?

Do you have a Custody Agreement?

Do you have educational rights?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Yearly Income (Required)

Gross Annual Income

SSI

Is your family receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

SNAP (Food Stamps)

Is your family receiving SNAP benefits (Food Stamps)?

TANF

Is your family receiving cash benefits or other services under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number in Household (Required)

Number of People Living in the Household

Do you have any special needs or concerns for your family such as (check all that apply)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is your family (check all that apply)

Homeless
Living with Family
In a Shelter
In a Multi-Family Arrangement with Documentation
Working with Children, Youth, & Families
None of the Above

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does your child have an educational, medical or mental diagnosis? (Check all that apply)

Educational Diagnosis/Developmental Delays (Ex: IU, IEP)
Mental Health Diagnosis (Ex: Autism, ADHD, ODD)
Physical Disability
Medical Diagnosis (Ex: Allergies, Milk Intolerance)
None of the Above

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you have an educational or behavioral concern for your child or yourself? (Check all that apply)

Speech or Fine/Gross Motor, Etc.
Behavioral
Post-Partum Depression
None of the Above

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CDC requires all young learners to receive their Primary Immunizations: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/downloads/parent-ver-sch-0-6yrs.pdf.
This does not include the COVID-19 vaccine.

Has your child received their recommended immunizations?

Yes
Not yet
My child will not receive their recommended immunizations

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How did you hear about us? (Required)