The State Of MA Is In The Process Of Having A Universal Preschool Program. Are There Any Other States That Have This In Action And Who Are They, How Is It Working Out And What Happens To The Daycare Providers? HELP!

Vermont and five other states have it already.

New York governor has promised to make preschool funded for all 4 yr olds within 4 years. Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are also increasing subsidies for preschool education.

Virginia, is planning to pilot a study in full universal preschool coverage for all four-year olds (in last year before the start school proper).

Maryland may be warming up to this idea, too, but for now only has preschool fully funded for the poorest families.

California voters rejected a proposal to do something similar, in a referendum last year. It was argued from the experience in Quebec that such a measure would harm existing day care providers too much.

BUT There's a lot of debate about the affect on private daycare providers.

I live in the UK where all children get at least a full year of funded preschool: many preschools are run by volunteers (charities), others are attached to schools. There are also plenty of private nurseries. The charity and school preschools tend to be entirely free for up to 12.5 hours/week (from the age of about 3.5 yrs). The private preschools tend to charge a surcharge on top of the government subsidy, which they can also claim. Parents understand that the private preschools run more efficiently, and have more to offer, in terms of quality and range of resources. Private day care and state nurseries can co-exist peacefully. There are millions of children to cater for, after all.

But I was raised in California... and it amazes me now that preschool isn't provided as nearly free or heavily subsidised, everywhere in the USA. It's just C R A Z Y that the government doesn't do this. Especially in a country where there are admission tests/criteria to even get into kindergarten.

Add Comment

View Comments [1]

Report