Universal pre-K in Washington, DC

Washington, DC runs one of the most genuinely universal pre-K programs in the country: two free years of full-school-day public pre-K, PK3 for three-year-olds and PK4 for four-year-olds, open to every DC resident with no income test, per DC Public Schools and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. Families apply through the My School DC lottery. A free seat replaces private preschool that commonly runs $1,800 to $2,600 per month in 2026.

This guide explains how DC's PK3 and PK4 work, who qualifies, how the My School DC lottery and the DCPS Early Action guarantee run, the length of the school day, and what private preschool costs if you miss a match. It sits alongside our daycare cost pillar and our fuller DC pre-K explainer.

Is pre-K free in Washington, DC?

Yes. Washington, DC offers two free years of full-school-day public pre-K, PK3 for three-year-olds and PK4 for four-year-olds, to all DC residents regardless of income, per DC Public Schools and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Seats are offered at DCPS schools, public charter schools, and OSSE-licensed community-based organizations.

DC enrolls a larger share of its three- and four-year-olds in public pre-K than any U.S. state, per the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), which has ranked the District at or near the top for access for years. That breadth is the real distinction here: in most cities "universal" means four-year-olds, while DC funds two full years starting at age three.

Who qualifies, and what does a seat include?

Any child who is a District of Columbia resident and turns three (for PK3) or four (for PK4) on or before September 30 qualifies, per DC Public Schools. There is no income test, language test, or immigration-status test. Families show proof of DC residency at enrollment, such as a lease, utility bill, or government document.

PK3 and PK4 run a full school day, longer than many city pre-K programs. The table below lays out the main options DC families weigh, including the wraparound gap a school-day, school-year program still leaves.

The PK3 and PK4 seat types and residency rules are from DC Public Schools and OSSE, and Head Start eligibility follows the federal Office of Head Start. The private cost range is drawn from Child Care Aware of America and the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices for the Washington, DC area, and is discussed below.

How do I apply?

Families apply through the My School DC common lottery at myschooldc.org, per My School DC. For the 2026-2027 school year, the pre-K lottery deadline was March 2, 2026. One application lets you rank multiple DCPS and public charter schools, and an in-boundary PK seat can be guaranteed under the DCPS Early Action policy when you meet its conditions.

Under DCPS Early Action, a PK3 or PK4 student is guaranteed a seat at their designated in-boundary Early Action school if they apply by the lottery deadline and are not matched to a school they ranked higher, per DCPS. Rank a realistic mix of schools near home and work, and apply by the deadline even if your in-boundary school is your first choice.

What private preschool costs if you miss a seat

Full-time private preschool in Washington, DC commonly runs about $1,800 to $2,600 per month in 2026, per Child Care Aware of America and the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. DC is one of the most expensive markets in the country, and tuition tends to fall as children age out of the higher infant and toddler ratios.

How to get a seat

1. Confirm eligibility. Your child must be a DC resident and turn three (PK3) or four (PK4) by September 30.
2. Build a school list. Identify your in-boundary Early Action school plus several DCPS and charter options near home and work.
3. Apply by the deadline at myschooldc.org. One application covers every school you rank; for 2026-2027 the deadline was March 2, 2026.
4. Compare backups. Use our comparison checklist and tour questions in case you miss a match.
5. Set up tax help. A Dependent Care FSA and the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit reduce out-of-pocket cost; see our tax credit explainer.

Common questions

Is pre-K free in Washington, DC?

Yes. Washington, DC offers two free years of full-school-day public pre-K, PK3 for three-year-olds and PK4 for four-year-olds, to all DC residents regardless of income, per DC Public Schools and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Seats are offered at DCPS schools, public charter schools, and OSSE-licensed community-based organizations.

Who qualifies for DC universal pre-K?

Any child who is a District of Columbia resident and turns three (for PK3) or four (for PK4) on or before September 30 qualifies, per DC Public Schools. There is no income test, language test, or immigration-status test. Families show proof of DC residency at enrollment, such as a lease, utility bill, or government document.

How do I apply for PK3 or PK4 in DC?

Families apply through the My School DC common lottery at myschooldc.org, per My School DC. For the 2026-2027 school year, the pre-K lottery deadline was March 2, 2026. One application lets you rank multiple DCPS and public charter schools, and an in-boundary PK seat can be guaranteed under the DCPS Early Action policy when you meet its conditions.

Does DC pre-K cover a full work day?

DC PK3 and PK4 run a full school day, longer than many city pre-K programs, but the school day and school-year calendar still fall short of a full work year, per DC Public Schools. Many DCPS schools offer before- and after-care for a fee, and families often add wraparound or summer care to cover the gap.

What does private preschool cost in Washington, DC?

Full-time private preschool in Washington, DC commonly runs about $1,800 to $2,600 per month in 2026, per Child Care Aware of America and the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. DC is one of the most expensive markets in the country, so a free PK3 or PK4 seat is among the largest savings available to a DC family.

Where to go next

If you are weighing options, walk through our comparison checklist and tour questions list, and model your year with the cost calculator. For more, see the Washington, DC daycare guide, the fuller DC pre-K explainer, and the DaycareSquare cost pillar.