Apply to DHSP Preschool Programs

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) has six high-quality preschools located across Cambridge.

All DHSP preschools are full-day, full-year programs that operate Monday through Friday, September through August.
DHSP preschools enroll 4-year-olds and 3-year-olds.
All of our preschool classrooms strive to provide children and their families with a high-quality, nurturing and educational preschool experience.
We believe play is the primary way in which a young child learns. Our preschool teachers are committed to supporting children’s healthy growth and development through play-based curriculum.
We also foster positive child-parent-teacher relationships through our commitment to proactive and transparent communication with families. We have an open door policy and we welcome families to visit the classroom. We hold at least three events for families per year, we hold parent/caregiver conferences three times a year, we share the curriculum with families every week, and we use an online communication app to share photos and other messages.
Tuition rates: The Cambridge Preschool Program heavily subsidizes the cost of tuition for all Cambridge 4-year-olds.
- Families whose household income is above 65% of HUD AMI pay monthly tuition fees based on household size and income to cover the cost of full-day, full-year education and care.
- Families whose household income is at or below 65% of HUD AMI receive full-day, full-year education and care for free.
All of our programs are licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Application Information

Families apply to DHSP Preschools through the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) application. The application for the 2026-2027 school year has closed. Families who applied by the deadline will be notified of their preschool match in January 2026. For more information, visit https://earlychildhoodcambridge.org/cpp/.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the locations and hours of operation for DHSP Preschools?

Alewife Preschool
Address: 430 Rindge Ave, Suite 101
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

King Open Preschool
Address: 101 Willow St.
Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. Preschool
Address: 100 Putnam Ave.
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Morse Preschool
Address: 40 Granite St.
Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Windsor Preschool
Address: 119 Windsor St.
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Tobin Preschool
Address: 227 Vassal Lane
Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

What is a typical day at a DHSP Preschool program?

Across all of our preschool locations, daily curriculum includes:

Breakfast (provided)
Morning outside time
Circle time and small group activities
Lunch (provided at all locations as of 2026)
Story / nap time
Afternoon outside time
Free choice activities

Our curriculum is aligned with the Department of Early Education and Care’s Guidelines for Preschool and Kindergarten Learning Experiences. Activities are designed to meet the needs of diverse ages and developmental levels. They are developed based on observation of the children's interests, and build, whenever possible, on encounters beyond the classroom.

Cognitive development is stimulated by activities that encourage discovery, curiosity, and predictions.
Activities develop a child’s body coordination, hand-eye coordination, expressive language, and listening skills.
Art activities involve a variety of materials while music is presented with games, instruments and a growing repertoire of songs and rhymes.

Each child’s development is tracked using the COR Advantage (HighScope) assessment system. Assessment results are used to guide teachers in developing curriculum for specific children and for all students.

How much does it cost to attend a DHSP Preschool?

The Cambridge Preschool Program heavily subsidizes the cost of tuition for all Cambridge 4-year-olds.

Families whose household income is above 65% of HUD AMI pay monthly tuition fees based on household size and income to cover the cost of full-day, full-year education and care.
Families whose household income is at or below 65% of HUD AMI receive full-day, full-year education and care for free.

Tuition rate charts are available under "Useful Documents and Resources."

Can my child attend DHSP Preschools part-time?

No. Our programs are designed for working families who need full-day, full-year care.

When families enroll their child in a DHSP Preschool Program, their child must attend preschool full-time.

Please only apply to DHSP Preschool Programs if you are interested in full-day, full-year (including summer) preschool for your child.

If my child attends a DHSP Preschool, will they be able to attend Kindergarten at that school?

Children enrolled in DHSP Preschools will need to enter the Cambridge Public Schools’ Kindergarten Lottery to determine their Kindergarten placement.

Will 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds enrolled in preschool through CPP be eligible to apply to DHSP Afterschool Programs?

No. Consistent with the state’s Department of Early Education and Care licensure standards, 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds are not eligible to apply to DHSP afterschool programs. DHSP afterschool programs are licensed for school-aged children only and not for preschool-aged children.

If you need full-day or summer care for your preschooler, you will need to apply to preschool programs that offer extended hours and operate during the summer. DHSP Preschools and several community programs offer full-day, full-year care. You can learn more about these programs on CPP's website.

Are children of City of Cambridge or Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) employees who are not Cambridge residents eligible to apply to DHSP Preschool Programs?

City of Cambridge employees and CPS employees who are not Cambridge residents are not eligible to apply. Only Cambridge residents with age-eligible children can apply to DHSP Preschool Programs through the Cambridge Preschool Program’s application.

If there are open seats at DHSP preschools after CPP placements have been made, there may be an opportunity for non-resident City of Cambridge employees to apply to our programs through a separate application process.