The OSD4ALL Guide to the Olympia School District
BIRTH TO KINDERGARTEN
OSD has a variety of options for preschool and special education services within the district, so that by the time your student gets to kindergarten, they are ready to learn in a safe and nurturing environment. Some of these services are provided in our schools, and some are available in-home or out in the community.
All special education services in OSD are free of charge, so if your child has been determined to need special education services, no preschool tuition fees apply.
BIRTH – AGE 3
Early Support Services (birth to 3) – Early Support Services provides services to families of children with disabilities from birth up to age 3, often in their home. This is for children with developmental delays and other disabilities, and it is all about EARLY INTERVENTION! These services are funded by the Department of Youth and Family Services’ Early Support for Infants and Toddlers services. This is a COMPLETELY FREE program, and the district’s early learning department will guide you through the special education process after age 3. Enrollment is based on Special ed need.Contact earlylearning@osd.wednet.edu
AGE 3-4
ECEAP (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program) – ECEAP (pronounced “E-Cap”) offers no-cost part-day and full-day preschool and family support options to eligible children and families. This is another fully funded Department of Youth and Family Services’ program based on need.
- 3 and 4 year olds
- Eligibility is based on both income and circumstance, and is meant to support the entire family, and includes children with special needs.
- Available at Garfield and McLane in 25/26. Steve Ballmer just gave a giant grant to this for 10,000 more spots statewide.
CIS (Preschool with Community Integrated Supports) – Similar to special education at private district schools, OSD can provide some special education services to preschoolers not attending district schools, but within OSD boundaries. Services may be provided by a Special Education teacher and paraprofessional in the student’s community-based regular early childhood program. Enrollment is based on special ed need.Contact earlylearning@osd.wednet.edu
Intensive Preschool & Developmental Preschool – Intensive preschool has opportunities for full-day services and offers less access to non-disabled peers than Developmental Preschool. Developmental Preschool is an integrated part-time Special Education preschool program with non-disabled students known as ‘community peers’.
- $265/mo. (2025-26) for Community Peers. Reduced tuition for families who meet free and reduced lunch criteria is $75 monthly payments
- Intensive preschool is available at Hansen and McKenny. Developmental preschool is available at Hansen, McKenny, Garfield, McLane, & Roosevelt.
OlyBears – OlyBear Preschool was established in 1979 as a learning lab for the Olympia High School’s Early Childhood Education program. Children learn with and from their high-school buddies!
$275/mo. Available at Olympia High School. Contact OlyBear@osd.wednet.edu for more information. Registration is March 11 at 6pm for the 2026-27 school year.
AGE 4+
TK, TTK, T2K (Transition to Kindergarten) – TK provides free full-day schooling for students who have not already participated in a preschool, and priority is given to families facing barriers like housing instability and low income.
4 and 5 year olds.
Contact earlylearning@osd.wednet.edu.