Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP)
School Year 2026-2027 Enrollment & Application Updates
Initial Match Results & Acceptance Deadline:
Families who completed applications by November 14, 2025 have received their match results via email. They will have two weeks to accept or decline their placement offer. Please note, some 3-year-olds who do not meet a priority criteria have received placement offers, while others have been added to a waitlist for any seats that become available.
Eligibility for Spring 2026 Match:
The CPP application remains open for families who missed the initial deadline. Any applications submitted and approved between November 15, 2025 and April 13, 2026 will be included in a Spring 2026 enrollment match.
Applications received after April 13, 2026 will be considered on a rolling basis.
All Cambridge residents whose children will be 4-years-old as of August 31, 2026 are eligible to apply. Children who will be 3-years-old as of August 31, 2026 are eligible to apply if they ALSO meet one of our priority enrollment criteria (experiencing homelessness, child in foster care, family income at or below 65% Area Median Income).
All non-priority 3-year-old seats in the Cambridge Preschool Program have been filled for the 2026-2027 school year.
Spring 2026 CPP Match Timeline:
- Applications submitted by April 13th, 2026 will be included in the Spring 2026 match.
- Match results will be sent to families in late April 2026.
- Families will have 2 weeks from notification to accept or decline their placement offer.
- The school year will begin in September 2026.
Many CPP programs filled their seats during the fall application period, leaving limited availability. For any application questions, please contact cpp@cpsd.us.
Interested in applying for the current 2025-26 school year?
Many CPP providers have filled their spots, leaving limited availability. However, some CPP spots are still available, and families applying for the current school year can select from those remaining spots. Please click on the “Apply to CPP” button below for more information.
CPP Application
Please scroll down for more information including eligibility, tutorial & curriculum videos and to apply, or click the button below to apply to CPP now.
CPP Provider Search Tool
Families are encouraged to use the CPP Search Tool to review our provider profiles prior to the application process for general information including locations, hours, and more. For a quick search tool tutorial, click on our video in the CPP Provider section below!
What is the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP)?
The Cambridge Preschool Program is a publicly-funded program that provides access to free, high-quality early education and care for all Cambridge 4 year-olds and some 3 year-olds for a school-day, school-year placement. There are additional costs for full-day, full-year (including summer) programs for some families. Families apply to CPP through a single, centralized online application.
Highlights of the Cambridge Preschool Program
CPP Classrooms Offer:
- High-quality, state-approved curriculum
- Equitable learning experiences that focus on school readiness and social emotional learning
Families can choose from classrooms in:
- Cambridge Public Schools (CPS)
- City of Cambridge’s Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP)
- Select community-based preschool & family childcare providers
Cambridge residents who will be 4 years old or 3 years old by August 31, 2026 are eligible to apply to CPP for enrollment in the 2026-2027 school year.
*Please note there are limited seats for 3-year-olds and there may be additional eligibility requirements.
Cambridge Preschool Program Application
The application process for CPP is managed by the Office of Early Childhood. The application will require families to provide information about their child and family, and will provide an opportunity to identify providers in which a family has interest. Families will then be matched with a preschool program based on their eligibility criteria and information provided.
Enrollment is then completed with each CPP site including Cambridge Public Schools (CPS), the City of Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) preschools, and community-based programs.
This new universal application replaces:
- CPS 3-year-old lottery
- CPS Junior Kindergarten lottery
- DHSP Preschool lottery
- OEC Scholarship application processes
A separate lottery process is held for Kindergarten enrollment.
Cambridge Preschool Program Application Tutorial
Please click on our video for an application tutorial with Candice! This application will take 20-30 minutes to complete.
To prepare for the application, please check to see if your child qualifies for the program and which documents are required.
Please see the Application Assistance section below for information on application support.
In-Person Application Assistance
On this site, you’ll find helpful information on the CPP Application Process, as well as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for our largest partners, Cambridge Public Schools and Department of Human Service Preschools.
The OEC team and our family support partners are available for application support. During the application window, check this In-Person Application Assistance document for a list of places where in-person application support will be available during the open application window. Hours may vary so we encourage families to call and make an appointment.
Some things you might need support with are:
- Assistance with completing the application/uploading documents
- Assistance with selecting the programs you will rank
- Questions about the required documents
- Support for English language learners
- Anything else related to completing your application on time
Please reach out to our office if you need support or have questions – cpp@cpsd.us or 617-349-1798.
Cambridge Public Schools: All elementary school buildings will have preschool classrooms that will be a part of CPP. This includes “specialized” programs including Tobin Montessori, Fletcher Maynard Academy, language immersion/bilingual programs, and Special Start.
Department of Human Services Programs: All DHSP Preschool program locations will participate in CPP.
Community-Based Preschool Programs: Many center-based and family child care programs will be a part of CPP.
CPP Provider Resources:
Cambridge Public Schools
Explore CPS preschool models, from Montessori and language immersion to integrated Special Start classrooms. Each program follows the school calendar and uses the Focus on 4’s curriculum to prepare young learners for success, supported by a dedicated team of professionals.
Department of Human Service Programs
Learn about DHSP’s full day, full year (including summer) citywide preschools for children across Cambridge, from September through August. Each classroom is designed to nurture young learners while partnering closely with families to support every child’s growth and success.
CPP Curriculum Models
Explore CPP’s Community-Based models, where children learn through play, exploration, and creativity. This video highlights different curriculum models including Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Creative Curriculum, so families can find the best fit for their child’s needs and learning style.
Search Participating CPP Providers!
Families are encouraged to use the CPP application search tool to review our provider profiles prior to the application process or for general information including locations, hours, and more. For a quick search tool tutorial please click on our video with Kyoko!
Use Filters to: See which providers are in a certain location (for example, search providers closest to your home address) with an interactive map! Or, view providers that offer a school-day program, extended-day, or full-day programming, and those that offer transportation.
Provider Profile provides a snapshot of our partner providers. You can view photos, hours, curriculum, a brief description of the provider, information about extended day offerings, links to provider websites and much more!
CPP Informational Resources
CPP Family Documents
2026-2027 Family Guide – VIEW HERE | TRANSLATIONS
2026-2027 Income Guidelines (AMI) – VIEW HERE
For additional questions or inquiries, please email us at cpp@cpsd.us for assistance.