Please double check the selected school year before completing registration. There are both 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 options available. If you are registering for next school year, it must say 2026/2027.
Preschool: Students must be 3 years old by 8/31/26
Pre-K: Students must be 4 years old by 8/31/26
At Chandler Unified School District, we believe young children learn best through hands-on experiences, discovery, and meaningful play. Our goal is to help each child build confidence, develop a love of learning, and enter kindergarten with the skills they need to be successful.
Our age-appropriate curriculum is taught by state-certified teachers and supports growth in all areas, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive. It is aligned with the Arizona Early Learning Standards for children ages 3 to 5 and follows the Chandler Unified School District calendar.
We offer a variety of Preschool and Pre-K options to support different learning styles and family preferences—including specialized, dual language exploration, and Title I programs.
Check out the program options to find the best fit for your child.
For any additional questions, click the button below to fill out our interest form.
The application for First Things First Scholarships for the 2025–2026 school year is now closed. All available scholarships have been awarded. Please see the additional resources section at the bottom of this page for additional tuition support.
Chandler Unified School District’s First Things First Pre-Kindergarten Scholarships provide opportunities for families to enroll their preschool-aged child in a high-quality preschool program taught by a certified teacher.
After your account is created, choose “Child Care/Preschool.”
Choose Season: “Choose School 25/26.”
Choose your first choice for a location. Preschool is for children 3-years-old and Pre-K is for children 4-years-old, both by August 31, 2025.
Confirm your child’s information or "add a new child" then click “Looks good start registering.”
Follow the on-screen instructions and fill out each section entirely to move on to the next page. You will be asked to choose your 2nd and 3rd desired locations if your first choice becomes full. Please put them in order.
You will have to put in a Credit Card to Submit- YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED! (However, this payment type will be used for the monthly co-pay if approved).
Once you submit, you will receive an email letting you know that your application has been submitted and your "contract is now pending."
Scholarships are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To be considered for approval, you must have a completed application, including all supporting documents. If any supporting documents are missing, you will be contacted in the order your application was received and given 48 hours to gather the remaining supporting documents to finalize your application. If you do not meet the deadline, your spot may be forfeited.
Required Supporting Documentation: (Subject to Change)
Proof of income: 1040 Tax return (page 1) with copies of 1 month salary for each parent in the household OR full DES approval letter (every page of approval letter) OR completed no income declaration form
Preschool programming is designed with our youngest learners in mind. Three-year-olds will receive instruction in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Sciences, Art, and more! They will also experience a variety of opportunities meant to support social development, including peer and adult interaction. Students must be 3 by August 31st.
Pre-Kindergarten programming provides a rigorous academic curriculum with an emphasis on preparing students for Kindergarten. Four-year-olds will receive instruction in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies, Art, and more! They will also experience a variety of opportunities meant to support social development, including peer and adult interaction. Students must be 4 by August 31st.
Our Dual Language Exploration program gives children an exciting opportunity to build early language skills while preparing for kindergarten in a culturally rich, play-based environment.
This Pre-K option introduces students to either Spanish or Mandarin through engaging activities designed to develop both language and academic readiness. Families can experience the benefits of our Dual Language Immersion pathway—starting with exploration and continuing into elementary school and beyond. Students must be 4 by August 31st.
2025/2026 Spanish Dual Language Exploration Pre-K Program Locations
Title I Pre-K programs are funded through Federal and State funds and are free to Chandler residents who live within the school boundaries of the schools listed. Title I programming provides developmentally appropriate academic curriculum to strengthen literacy, STEM, social-emotional, communication, and physical skills with an emphasis on preparing students for Kindergarten. Students will receive instruction in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Sciences, Art, and more! They will also experience a variety of opportunities meant to support social development, including peer and adult interaction. Students must be 4 by August 31st.
Developmentally appropriate academic curriculum to strengthen literacy, STEM, social-emotional, communication, and physical skills
Additional Information
Class is held Monday - Friday
Title I Pre-K program hours are 8:00am-2:30pm, except for:
- Frye Elementary – 8:20am-2:50pm
- Galveston Elementary – 7:45am-2:15pm
- San Marcos Elementary – 8:20am-2:50pm
Breakfast, lunch, and snack included
Our Preschool and Pre-K programs are licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Inspection reports are available at each preschool site.
If you have concerns regarding your child’s development, please contact the Early Childhood Child Find Team at (480) 883-5865 to schedule a screening. For assistance in Spanish please call (480)-883-5866. Email Child Find
Screenings are conducted on selective Fridays, by appointment only, throughout the CUSD school year.
If the screening results indicate the need for an evaluation, the Child Find team will schedule and conduct a Comprehensive Developmental Assessment, which assesses all five areas of development – cognition, communication, social/emotional, adaptive, and physical skills.
If the child meets eligibility criteria for special education services according to state and federal guidelines, and requires specialized instruction, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed. The child may be referred for attendance at one of the early childhood programs available in the district.
Special Education Services for Preschoolers
CUSD offers a continuum of services for eligible preschoolers. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team will determine the appropriate services and supports needed. Eligible students are assigned to the most appropriate location in the district to meet their needs as outlined on the IEP.
If your child already has an evaluation or IEP from another school district, and you now live within CUSD boundaries, please contact our Child Find Office at 480-883-5866 to begin the transfer process.
registration for the 2025-2026 school year is open
About Extended Care at CUSD
For added flexibility, extended care is available at select Preschool and Pre-K locations. Morning care is offered from 7:00 AM until the start of the school day, and afternoon care runs from dismissal until 5:30 PM.
Availability is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
