Access to preschool education will increase across the state, as Governor Phil Murphy announced an increase in funding to 16 school districts.
Murphy said that “access to good education is one of our core values” during a visit to Brooks Crossing Elementary School in South Brunswick on Wednesday, where Pre-K and kindergarten students are taught on the Deans campus. “High-quality early education buildings are the foundation for lifelong learning.”
In September 2022, Murphy announced that 27 new school districts would receive expanded access to preschool. And next week, on March 1, the Department of Education will launch a $120 million grant funding opportunity from the federal American Rescue Plan funds for preschool facilities expansion.
The governor said his goal is to have universal access to quality pre-K programs for every 3- and 4-year-old in the state. Since the beginning of his administration, 150 school districts have been teaching 12,000 additional preschool children.
This is important, Murphy said, because kids who start in preschool enhance their vocabulary before first grade, which is the single highest correlation to later success. They are also more comfortable in the classroom and are ready to learn.
He said this helps keep New Jersey a national leader in every field – and he noted that NJ has the No. 1 public education system in the country.
“It starts here by building a fairer and stronger educational system,” he said.
Addressing childcare expenses, the governor said there are partnerships with private childcare providers as well as the federal Head Start programs and others with the goal of making life more affordable for parents.
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