Looking for free childcare? Enroll your child in Preschool!
CDC offers free, subsidized and tuition-based preschool for children ages 3 to 5 across Erie, Crawford and Venango counties.
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 utilize specifically focuses on reading, math, social and school readiness skills, following directions and getting along with fellow students and teachers. CDC remains committed to involving families in their child’s educational experience. All programs at CDC also include a free and nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack each day! Potty training is seamlessly integrated into our classrooms, which are equipped with convenient built-in bathrooms for a hassle-free experience.
Head Start and Pre-K Counts enrollments are based on income eligibility. To learn more about program qualifications, please click on the links below! To complete our online enrollment form, please scroll to the bottom of this page.
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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!
When children graduate our Head Start 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 qualify, a family’s income must be at or below the federal poverty level – currently $31,200 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 Head Start 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 Pre-K Counts box on the previous page, which is an identical, free preschool program for families at higher income levels.
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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!
CDC also provides a nutritional breakfast, lunch and snack each day at no cost to families. In addition to early childhood education, HSSAP offers several services that support each child’s health, development and family well-being.
To qualify, a family’s income must be at or below the federal poverty level – currently $31,200 per year 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
When children graduate our HSSAP 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 HSSAP 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 Pre-K Counts box on the previous page, which is an identical, free preschool program for families at higher income levels.
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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 $93,600 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.
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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 or toll-free (800) 860-2281
3823 West 12th Street, Erie, PA 16505(814) 518-5226 or toll-free (855) 294-9015
631 12th Street, Franklin, PA 16323(814) 337-8055 or toll-free (800) 682-6118
996 South Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) funds the ELRC childcare subsidy program.
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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!
An enrollment specialist will follow up with you once your application has been reviewed. For all enrollment questions, please contact CDC’s Enrollment Coordinator, Cat Sullivan, at 814-480-9472!
