The Chelsea Public Schools holds a lottery for pre-kindergarten programs for 3- and 4-year-olds. Seats at the John Silber Early Learning Center are limited each year.
3-year-olds
4-year-olds
Limited seats
Lottery required
Program Options
Half-Day Morning Program
Monday–Thursday (4 days)
8:13 AM – 11:05 AM
Eligibility
Child is 3 or 4 by Aug 31, 2025
Resident of Chelsea
Toilet trained before school begins in September
🐝
Half-Day Afternoon Program
Monday–Friday (5 days)
11:45 AM – 2:20 PM
Eligibility
Child is 3 or 4 by Aug 31, 2025
Resident of Chelsea
Toilet trained before school begins in September
🐝
Extended Full Day Program
Extended Day
Monday–Friday (5 days)
8:13 AM – 5:30 PM
Eligibility
Child is 3 or 4 by Aug 31, 2025
Resident of Chelsea
Toilet trained before school begins in September
Parent/guardian shows proof of employment or
academic/training program ≥ 30 hrs/week
Nominal fee charged for extended day
🐝
Registration Timeline
Mid-January
Pre-K Lottery info available at the Parent Information Center (PIC)
Late January / Early February
Families sign up for the Pre-K Lottery at PIC
Early to Mid-March
Pre-K Lottery takes place; outcomes mailed to families
March / April
Families selected in the lottery attend registration appointments at PIC
What to Bring
- Parent/guardian ID
- Child's birth certificate
- Proof of residency (Chelsea)
- Immunization record (if requested by PIC)
- For Extended Day: employment or program documentation (≥ 30 hrs/week)
Lottery enrollment is required for Half-Day and Extended
Day options.
Friendly FAQs
Seats are limited and assigned via lottery.
Yes.
Outcomes are mailed to families after the lottery.
They must be toilet trained before September.
A nominal fee applies to the Extended Full Day Program
only.