Tuition & Aid

Ruth Washburn strives to make a play-based education affordable and accessible to all families. Read below to find out more about our tuition rates and financial aid options.

There are resources that may be available to help your family afford the tuition at RWCNS. Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) dollars, a financial aid award, a sibling discount, or a flexible payment plan can help meet your family’s unique financial needs.

Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado

Beginning in the fall of 2023, Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado will pay for every four-year-old child in the year before they are eligible for Kindergarten to attend part day preschool for the 2023-24 school year. Ruth Washburn will have 12 hour per week programs for every eligible, enrolled four-year-old which will translate to at least 360 hours per school year.

Who is eligible for UPK at Ruth Washburn?

For children offered a spot in a class: If your child is in their year before they are eligible for Kindergarten (will be at least four-years-old by 10/1/23), they qualify for up to a half-day (12 hours per week) of preschool at Ruth Washburn.

How does the UPK program work?

There are two parts to the process for your family to receive UPK funding at Ruth Washburn.

1. You must complete the UPK application through the state-run portal. 

AND

2. Your child must be offered a spot at the school.

How do I apply for UPK?

UPK is a state-run program, and you have to apply through their portal. You can choose up to 5 preschool programs you might be interested in (including Ruth Washburn). Search for Ruth Washburn by using the 80904 zip code.

When do I need to apply for UPK?

In order to have the best chance of being matched with your preferred provider, you should apply before February 14th. UPK applications will continue to be accepted after February 14th and matched with providers on a rolling basis throughout the year.

What happens after I apply?

Starting on February 15th, the state will work to match families with their preferred providers.

Financial Aid

There are two types of financial support to make tuition affordable: Colorado Preschool Program (CPP) awards and scholarships. Applicants fill out one application for both types of aid. We encourage everyone to apply for financial aid. Financial aid applications will be available to all enrolled families on March 1. The applicants go out with registration links beginning March 1st and will be available on our website. We only accept financial aid applications once a spot has been accepted. Applications are due April 1 and awards are made by April 15. You may accept a spot contingent upon a Financial Aid award. 

Tuition

In addition to tuition, each family pays a $100 non-refundable yearly registration fee.

Tuition rates are based on the number of hours per week that your child attends class. There are options to pay the tuition fee in one lump sum or broken out over a 9-month period, if that works better for your budget. A non-refundable security deposit is due by May 1st.

Prices are based on paying via Direct Debit through your bank account. Paying by credit card will add an additional 2.9% to all fees (allowable under Colorado statute).

Sibling Discount: 10% – added when you have two or more children from the same family enrolled 

2023 – 2024 Tuition

If you are interested in future enrollment in any of our programs, please join the waitlist!

Sponsors

Ruth Washburn Cooperative Nursery School provides quality preschool programs for children ages two-and-a-half to five years old.