2026-2027 Seattle Preschool Program

The deadline to apply for this funding opportunity is Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 11:59 pm PST.

The Seattle Department of Education & Early Learning (DEEL) is accepting applications from qualified center-based early learning providers and new agencies to join Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) or expand existing SPP classrooms at their site. SPP provides accessible, high-quality preschool services for Seattle children ages 3- and 4-years-old designed to improve their readiness for school and to support their subsequent academic achievement.  

Organizations, early learning providers, and entities providing services described in this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) are invited to submit applications. Funding is available through the 2025 Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy.    

Please note: Changes to the funding process and timeline may occur. DEEL will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking this web page for technical assistance information, updates, clarifications, or amendments.   

Who can apply 

DEEL has funding to contract for new SPP classrooms for the 2026-2027 school year. This application will collect interest from providers not currently contracted with SPP and combine those qualified applicants with existing SPP providers, and entities eligible for direct contracting. Existing SPP contractors should use the application link and information they have been directly given to submit expansion requests. This roster of qualified providers will then be used to select funded classrooms for the 2026-27 school year. 

Family Child Care (FCC) programs interested in participating in SPP are not eligible to apply using this application portal and should instead contact one of SPP’s FCC Hub administrators at BrightSpark Early Learning Services or Tiny Tots Early Learning Collaborative for more information. 

Types of programs that can be funded

Eligible applicants must meet SPP programmatic and participation requirements as reflected below. 

Program Requirements

More information can be found in the RFQ Overview document provided below.

How applicants will be selected

The following steps are required for becoming an SPP provider.

• Applicants must first submit an RFQ application to demonstrate how they meet the qualifications for becoming an SPP provider. Successful applicants will be placed on an SPP Roster to be considered for selection as a provider for the 2026-27 school year. If DEEL determines no provider fulfills criteria set out in this RFQ, DEEL may at any time cancel the RFQ without selecting any provider.

• DEEL will then select one or more providers from the SPP Roster according to the criteria outlined in Tables 3 and 4 of the RFQ overview document.  

There is no guarantee of work or funding associated with this RFQ opportunity.  
Contract coordination is expected to begin in April 2026 with contracts and preschool classes to beginning in September 2026. 

Timeline

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION:  
 
Please ensure that you submit the Seattle Preschool Program Agency Application as soon as possible to have time to complete the two additional required forms as part of your application.   
 
Only after submitting the Seattle Preschool Program Agency application, will you receive an email from Submittable with further instructions to access the two additional required forms (site and classroom forms).

All forms above must be completed by 11:59 pm, on December 17, 2025, in order for your application to be considered complete.   

*Dates subject to change

How to Apply

Applications may ONLY be submitted to DEEL by using Submittable, an online application portal. 

All applicants must complete the online application via Submittable using the Online Application Link.  

• New users will be required to create a free Submittable account. 
• The application portal allows users to save progress on their draft applications prior to submitting. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted after the deadline. The portal automatically closes on December 17, at 11:59pm PST. 
• Applicants can expect to receive a confirmation email from Submittable after the application is submitted. 
• Submittable works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Internet Explorer is not supported.  

Click on the links below to learn more about the application process and access the online application portal in addition to information and resources that will assist you in completing your application. 

Application Essentials

Supporting Materials

All materials and updates to the RFQ are available on this webpage. DEEL will not provide individual notice of changes, and applicants are responsible for regularly checking the webpage for any updates, clarifications, or amendments.  

How to submit questions  
Please submit questions about this grant via email to DEELFunding@seattle.gov and include "Question: SPP RFQ" in the subject line. Responses will be published and linked in the table above. Please allow three (3) business days for answers to submitted questions.  

For Technical Questions related to using Submittable:  

• Check the Submitter Resource Center   
• Send questions by email to DEELFunding@seattle.gov with the Subject line: “Submittable Question: SPP RFQ Application” and also, send to Submittable's Customer Support. 

Language Assistance 
Do you need an interpreter? Do you need documents translated? Language assistance is available! Contact DEELFunding@seattle.gov or (206) 386-1050.  
   
Hay asistencia disponible en varios idiomas.  
¿Necesita un intérprete para recibir ayuda en su idioma? ¿Necesita documentos traducidos? Hay asistencia disponible en varios idiomas: DEELFunding@seattle.gov o (206) 386-1050.  
   
የቋንቋ እርዳታ አለ።  
ለቋንቋ እርዳታ አስተርጓሚ ይፈልጋሉ? ሰነዶች እንዲተረጐሙ ይፈልጋሉ? የቋንቋ እርዳታ አለ። DEELFunding@seattle.gov - (206) 386-1050.  
   
提供语言协助。  
您需要口译员提供语言協助吗？ 您需要文件的翻譯吗？ 提供语言协助 : DEELFunding@seattle.gov - (206) 386-1050.  
   
Gargaarsi afaanii ni jira.  
Gargaarsa afaaniitiif nama afaan hiiku si barbaachisa? Sanadoota akka hiikkaman isin barbaachisa? DEELFunding@seattle.gov - (206) 386-1050.  
   
Kaalmada luqadda waa laga heli karaa.  
Ma u baahan tahay turjumaan caawimaad luqadeed? Ma u baahan tahay dukumeenti la turjumay? DEELFunding@seattle.gov - (206) 386-1050.  
   
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