Last school year, 521 homeless students were enrolled in preschool programs run by the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). This was a 32% drop from the prior 2014-15 school year, when 766 homeless preschoolers were enrolled.

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is working to make sure that homeless children are able to attend preschool. The guide below was created to assist families.

If a parent or her/his child is living in a shelter or other temporary living situation, the child can receive priority placement in preschool programs run by CPS or funded by the city of Chicago. Also, the child can be enrolled in preschool without proof of address, income, guardianship, or other documents. 

How old must a child be?
• Children must be 3 years old or 4 years old by September 1, 2016 to apply for preschool for the 2016 – 2017 school year.

What are examples of temporary living situations?
• Living in a shelter or transitional housing program
• Sharing housing with another family because the parent lost her/his housing and can’t afford her/his own
• Living in a car, on the street, or somewhere that people don’t normally live
• Living in housing without basic needs (heat, electricity, water)
• Living in a hotel or motel because you have no alternative

How does a parent enroll her/his child?
• Online application: apply.chicagoearlylearning.org ;
• Apply by phone: (12) 229-1690; or
• Visit a Family Resource Center (see below)
• Be sure to mention your temporary living status when applying.
• Register as soon as possible to ensure a spot is reserved the child. Applications are accepted year round.

For more information or for help with enrollment, contact the Law Project at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless at (312) 641-4140, or toll free at 1-800-940-1119. 

To apply for preschool in person, visit one of the Family Resource Centers located at:

Brighton Park Library
4313 S. Archer Avenue
MW: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; TT: 12 noon – 8 p.m.; F: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Colman – CPS Central Office
4655 S. Dearborn Avenue
M-F: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Hall Mall
4638 W. Diversey Avenue
M-F: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Harold Washington Library Center
400 S. State Street
MW: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; TT: 12 noon – 8 p.m.; F:
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closes before library)

Humboldt Park Library
1605 N. Troy Street
MW: 12 noon – 8 p.m.; TT: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; F: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Legler Library
115 S. Pulaski Road
MW: 12 noon – 8 p.m.; TT: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; F: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Northtown Library
6435 N. California Avenue
MW: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; TT: 12 noon – 8 p.m.; F: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Roden Library
6083 N. Northwest Highway
MW: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; TT: 12 noon – 8 p.m.; F: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Vodak-East Side Library
3710 E. 106th Street
MW: 12 noon – 8 p.m.; TT: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; F: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Woodson Regional Library
9525 S. Halsted Street
MW: 12 noon – 8 p.m.; TT: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; F:
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (closes before library)

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