Free preschool for 4-year-olds in Centennial

Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) is the state's free preschool program for 4-year-olds. We offer it at both campuses, and you can add care to cover a full workday.

Visit a campus

15 or 30 free hours a week
Free meals during program hours
Open 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Two campuses in Centennial

A girl proudly holds up her drawing — Free Universal Preschool (UPK)4-year-olds

How Universal Preschool (UPK) works

Colorado's free preschool program for 4-year-olds, at both of our Centennial campuses.

Two smiling preschoolers in paper crowns at a table

Free hours: 15 or 30 hours a week Hours depend on your child’s qualification.
Meals: Free during program hours
A longer day: Add before and after care Cover a full workday.

See your options

Free hours, plus a full workday

Use your free UPK hours, then add before and after care at the same campus to cover a full workday.

Open Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Free UPK hours: 15 or 30 a week
Before and after care to cover the rest of the day
Fresh breakfast and lunch cooked in our own kitchen
Tuition for the extra hours depends on your child's age
See your options to get the exact rate for your child

What every day includes

Free preschool for 4-year-olds: Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK)

4-year-olds · Both campuses

Schedule: 15 or 30 free hours a week
Tuition: Free Hours depend on your child's qualification. Free meals during program hours.

Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) is the state's free preschool program for 4-year-olds. Add before and after care to cover a full workday.

Open Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Fresh breakfast and lunch cooked in our own kitchen
Creative Curriculum with project-based learning
Enrichment classes and world languages included in tuition
Weekly classes in visual and musical arts, science, STEAM projects, and fitness and sports
Classrooms designed for each age group

See your options

Help paying for the rest of the day

We accept Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK), local child care assistance, and military childcare fee assistance.

Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK)
Free preschool hours for 4-year-olds.
Local child care assistance
County-based help paying for care (CCCAP).
Military childcare programs
Fee assistance through Child Care Aware of America and the military branches.

Two campuses in Centennial

Free preschool at both. Pick the one closer to you, and come take a tour.

Smoky Hill campus

Childcare and preschool, 6 weeks to 5 years, and free Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK)

20901 E Smoky Hill Rd, Centennial, CO 80015 · Map and directions

At South Picadilly Street and East Smoky Hill Road, near Southlands, on the Centennial and Aurora border.

Sunny classrooms designed for each age group
A commercial kitchen for fresh breakfast and lunch every day
Touchless entry that opens only from a parent's phone app
Shaded outdoor playground

Call or text: (720) 987-1177

Visit the Smoky Hill campus

Arapahoe campus

Childcare from 6 weeks, preschool, elementary, middle school, and homeschool

11002 E Arapahoe Pl, Centennial, CO 80112 · Map and directions

In Centennial near I-25 and Arapahoe Road, by the Denver Tech Center. Easy to reach from Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, and the southern suburbs.

Teaching kitchen
Indoor gym and indoor playground
STEM lab
Visual arts studio and performing arts room
Tech lab and library
Bowling lane, space room, and movie theater
Outdoor playground, basketball and tennis courts, and a garden courtyard

Childcare, call or text: (303) 638-7272School, call or text: (720) 989-0704

Visit the Arapahoe campus (childcare)

Next year: kindergarten

A child can start as an infant and stay through 8th grade, then leave with a transcript for high school.

When your child is ready, full-time kindergarten is on our Arapahoe campus. See kindergarten in Centennial, or read more about childcare and preschool for younger children.

What preschool families say

4.7Average family rating on Google and Yelp

“I am not sure any other place I know emphasizes science for 3 year olds!! My son LOVES Miss Christal and comes home daily talking about his science lessons that she plans for them DAILY. She is the absolute best. It has made school fun for him and seeing him want to be a scientist at home melts my heart!!”
Kaitlyn E. · Google review
“Really enjoy this daycare!! Never look elsewhere. The kids get a great education and I intend on having my son here through 8th grade! … Larisa, the owner, is outstanding and only wants the best staff.”
Ben A. · Google review
“My son has been at Novastar for 3 months and he absolutely loves going every day. The teachers they hire have a real passion for taking care of children like they were their own and make sure to provide feedback to parents/guardians as well as adhere to any requests given to them. … Additionally, Novastar uses the Procare app which provides parents/guardians with daily updates on feedings, napping and activities which has given my husband and I a lot of reassurance knowing how our son is being cared for. We have been very happy with Novastar and have recommended it to several other friends with little ones.”
Kim N. · Google review
“We have been a part of the Novastar family for 4 years now, between my 2 kids. … I could not be happier with the care we have received. … Christal is supportive and caring, but also provides structure and learning in the classroom. My daughter is constantly reciting lessons and content she learned at school when she is home. … Larisa, the owner and director, has done a lot of wonderful things with the center over the past couple years. From what I have seen and heard, she works with families, as well as her staff and their families, to try and create a supportive community.”
Allison L. · Google review
“I am so happy with Novastar. Ms. Angie and Ms. Neris are amazing, they care for my daughter as if she was their own. The facility is always clean and organized. It has made my transition back to work so much easier. If I could give 10 stars I would!”
Aliah E. · Google review
“We've been here for about 2 years and love it! The staff and teachers are wonderful and know everyone by name. I feel very confident my kids are safe and in the best hands. The communication has exceeded my expectations and my kids are learning so much from everyone. It's the perfect location for us (just a few miles from the house) and very convenient for pick up and drop off. Not to mention they have covered playgrounds for my kids who burn easily in the Colorado sun! Highly recommend this affordable daycare.”
Margaret S. · Yelp review
“It is a good center, and I know that my daughter has been in good hands.Ms. Christal and Ms. Linda are very loving, attentive and respectful! They are always willing to help, inform you and advise you on all aspects related to the education of children.”
Brenda C. · Google review
“My son has been going here for a little over a week and comes home so tired from playing and having fun. He is only 3 months old and they take good care of him. I love how they send me pics and updates throughout the day on their app.”
Jessalynn L. · Google review
“My 10 month old son goes here and the staff is amazing! I love getting updates with pictures through their app and they are overall a great facility ❤️”
Jessica L. · Google review
“It’s such an excellent daycare, I choose it for my baby , the place is so beautiful , clean and colourful.”
Enas A. · Google review

“I am not sure any other place I know emphasizes science for 3 year olds!! My son LOVES Miss Christal and comes home daily talking about his science lessons that she plans for them DAILY. She is the absolute best. It has made school fun for him and seeing him want to be a scientist at home melts my heart!!”
Kaitlyn E. · Google review
“Really enjoy this daycare!! Never look elsewhere. The kids get a great education and I intend on having my son here through 8th grade! … Larisa, the owner, is outstanding and only wants the best staff.”
Ben A. · Google review
“My son has been at Novastar for 3 months and he absolutely loves going every day. The teachers they hire have a real passion for taking care of children like they were their own and make sure to provide feedback to parents/guardians as well as adhere to any requests given to them. … Additionally, Novastar uses the Procare app which provides parents/guardians with daily updates on feedings, napping and activities which has given my husband and I a lot of reassurance knowing how our son is being cared for. We have been very happy with Novastar and have recommended it to several other friends with little ones.”
Kim N. · Google review
“We have been a part of the Novastar family for 4 years now, between my 2 kids. … I could not be happier with the care we have received. … Christal is supportive and caring, but also provides structure and learning in the classroom. My daughter is constantly reciting lessons and content she learned at school when she is home. … Larisa, the owner and director, has done a lot of wonderful things with the center over the past couple years. From what I have seen and heard, she works with families, as well as her staff and their families, to try and create a supportive community.”
Allison L. · Google review
“I am so happy with Novastar. Ms. Angie and Ms. Neris are amazing, they care for my daughter as if she was their own. The facility is always clean and organized. It has made my transition back to work so much easier. If I could give 10 stars I would!”
Aliah E. · Google review
“We've been here for about 2 years and love it! The staff and teachers are wonderful and know everyone by name. I feel very confident my kids are safe and in the best hands. The communication has exceeded my expectations and my kids are learning so much from everyone. It's the perfect location for us (just a few miles from the house) and very convenient for pick up and drop off. Not to mention they have covered playgrounds for my kids who burn easily in the Colorado sun! Highly recommend this affordable daycare.”
Margaret S. · Yelp review
“It is a good center, and I know that my daughter has been in good hands.Ms. Christal and Ms. Linda are very loving, attentive and respectful! They are always willing to help, inform you and advise you on all aspects related to the education of children.”
Brenda C. · Google review
“My son has been going here for a little over a week and comes home so tired from playing and having fun. He is only 3 months old and they take good care of him. I love how they send me pics and updates throughout the day on their app.”
Jessalynn L. · Google review
“My 10 month old son goes here and the staff is amazing! I love getting updates with pictures through their app and they are overall a great facility ❤️”
Jessica L. · Google review
“It’s such an excellent daycare, I choose it for my baby , the place is so beautiful , clean and colourful.”
Enas A. · Google review

Founder named Colorado Small Business Person of the Year, 2025, by the U.S. SBA
Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) provider
Accepts local child care assistance
State-licensed childcare

Free preschool questions

Don’t see your question? Our admissions team can answer it on a quick call.

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Is Universal Preschool (UPK) really free?

Yes. Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) is the state's free preschool program for 4-year-olds. The free hours cost you nothing, and meals during program hours are free too.

How many free hours does my child get?

15 or 30 free hours a week. Hours depend on your child's qualification.

Can my child stay for a full workday?

Yes. Add before and after care to cover a full workday. Both campuses are open Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Tuition for the extra hours depends on your child's age. See your options to get the exact rate.

Which campuses offer UPK?

Both. The Smoky Hill campus is at 20901 E Smoky Hill Rd, Centennial, CO 80015, and the Arapahoe campus is at 11002 E Arapahoe Pl, Centennial, CO 80112.

Are meals included?

Meals are free during program hours. We cook fresh breakfast and lunch every day in our own kitchen.

Do you accept local child care assistance or military childcare assistance?

Yes. We accept local child care assistance (CCCAP), and military childcare fee assistance through Child Care Aware of America and the military branches.

Free preschool for 4-year-olds in Centennial

How Universal Preschool (UPK) works

Free hours, plus a full workday

What every day includes

Free preschool for 4-year-olds: Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK)

Help paying for the rest of the day

Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK)

Local child care assistance

Military childcare programs

Two campuses in Centennial

Smoky Hill campus

Arapahoe campus

Next year: kindergarten

What preschool families say

Free preschool questions