Pre-Kindergarten Registration
Information regarding the Pre-K lottery and program options
Lottery Information
The Chelsea Public Schools holds a lottery for pre-kindergarten programs for 3- and 4-year-olds. Please note that there are limited seats available at the John Silber Early Learning Center every year.
For more information about the registration and lottery process, please click here .
Program Options
There are three program options for Pre-Kindergarten:
Half-Day Morning Program
Days:
Monday-Thursday (4 days)
Times:
8:13am - 11:05am
Eligibility:
- Child is 3 or 4 years old by Aug. 31, 2026
- Child is a resident of Chelsea
- Child is/will be toilet trained before school begins in September
Half-Day Afternoon Program
Days:
Monday-Thursday (4 days)
Times:
11:45am - 2:20pm
Eligibility:
- Child is 3 or 4 years old by Aug. 31, 2026
- Child is a resident of Chelsea
- Child is/will be toilet trained before school begins in September
Extended Full Day Program
Days:
Monday-Friday (5 days)
Times:
8:13am - 5:30pm
Eligibility:
- Child is 3 or 4 years old by August 31, 2025
- Child is a resident of Chelsea
- Child is/will be toilet trained before school begins in September
- Parents or guardians must provide proof of employment, or participation in academic or training programs requiring minimum of 30 hours/wk
A $15/day program fee (billed monthly) is charged for the extended day program. A sliding fee scale is
available for low income wage earners.
Registration Timeline
December
Pre-Kindergarten Lottery information becomes available at the Parent Information Center.
January
Families may sign up for the Pre-Kindergarten Lottery at the Parent Information Center.
February
Pre-Kindergarten Lottery takes place and lottery outcomes are mailed to families.
March/April
Families who are selected in the Pre-Kindergarten Lottery attend registration appointments at the Parent Information Center.