Jumpstart Preschool Program
Thank you for your interest in the Jumpstart Preschool Program. Jumpstart is an early education program administered by Ventura Unified School District and is a California State Preschool Program (‘CSPP’). We provide care for children in Ventura and the surrounding community throughout Ventura County. Participation in the Jumpstart program does not automatically matriculate your child into a Ventura Unified TK or Kindergarten school. To enroll in a Ventura Unified TK-12 school, you must contact your boundary school or apply for School of Choice during the open window.
The staff and administration at Jumpstart know that young children thrive in safe, friendly and respectful environments. These elements are foundational and at the core of our Program’s philosophy; a philosophy that fosters a child-centered curriculum and is based on the guiding principles of the California Preschool Curriculum Foundations where:
-
Relationships are central
-
Play is the primary context for learning
-
Learning is integrated and inclusive
-
Intentional interactions enhance children’s learning experiences
-
Family and community partnerships create meaningful connections
-
Individualization of learning includes all children
-
Responsiveness to culture and language supports children’s learning
Jumpstart is a part-day multi-age opportunity for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years, and, along with parent participation, promotes empathy, self-regulation, and leadership development. We offer care and curriculum that is age appropriate for children’s developmental needs in a rich setting allowing for exploration, creativity, problem-solving, science, math, and language acquisition through play, group activities, and individual choice.
Admission into the Jumpstart Preschool Program is based on state income guidelines and other application criteria. To be qualified, families must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Income eligibility criteria
|
California State Preschool Program
|
California State Preschool Program
|
Admission to Jumpstart Preschool Program
All children must be at least 2 years old by the first day of school to enroll for the current school year. If they turn 2 after the first day of school and by September 1st, they can enroll after their 2nd birthday. Only a certain percentage of children in the program can be 2 years of age in order to provide the best care for all children.
3 and 4 year olds are eligible to enroll at any time throughout the school year until March 1st of the enrolling year.
Please note: Eligibility for all students is based on meeting our financial guidelines, other criteria and documentation verification.
- Enrollment priorities dictate that 7% of CSPP-funded enrollment is set aside for children with exceptional needs.
- All families will be ranked based on income-ranking order and on the following admission priorities list, as mandated by the state of California:
Admission priorities
First: * The child is the recipient of Child Protective Services (CPS) or is at risk of being neglected, abused, or exploited, or is in foster care.
Second: *Once the set-aside is filled, children with exceptional needs (children with IFSP or IEP), up to 20% of classroom enrollment.
Third: Eligible **2, 3 and 4-year-olds.
- dual language learners within each ranking.
- 4 year-olds who are not already attending Transitional Kindergarten.
- Please note that children who are attending a Transitional Kindergarten may also attend Jumpstart after all of the criteria have been met and if space allows.
Fourth: Family income is not more than 15% above the income threshold. This is limited to 10% of funded enrollment.
Fifth: 5 year-old children who are not eligible for Kindergarten.
*There is no financial certification needed for children with IEPs or IFSPs. All children will be accepted regardless of finances if there is space.
**Only 30% of total enrollment at each site can be comprised of children under the age of 3 years at the start of the school year.
Jumpstart Preschool Program is located at 6 sites within the Ventura Unified School District.
-
ATLAS Elementary: 760 Jazmin Ave Ventura, CA 93004
-
E.P. Foster Elementary: 20 Pleasant Place Ventura, CA 93001
-
Montalvo Elementary: 2050 Grand Ave Ventura, CA 93003 (Dual Language Immersion AM Program)
-
Portola Elementary: 6700 Eagle Street Ventura, CA 93003
-
Will Rogers Elementary: 316 Howard Street Ventura, CA 93003 (Dual Language Immersion AM Program)
Each site offers an AM (8:15 am to 11:15 am) and a PM (12:15 pm to 3:15 pm) program daily that includes a "no cost" nutritionally balanced meal. Each Jumpstart Preschool classroom is designed for team teaching and provides a state and grant funded required teacher-to-child ratio.
Please note: Children do not have to toilet independently in order to attend Jumpstart.
To Apply for the Jumpstart Preschool Program
To apply for the 2026-2027 school year, please complete an application through My Care Wait. You will be contacted regarding your child's potential placement.
|
Cara Dallamora, ECE Coordinator |
Nikki Ertman, Sr. Office Assistant (805) 641-5000 x1031 |