Governor Murphy Promises Free, Full-Day Kindergarten for All Kids in New Jersey

Governor Murphy announced proposals to expand early childhood education to support working families

ISTOCK.COM/DJAVAN RODRIGUEZ

Governor Phil Murphy today announced an initiative to ensure free, full-day kindergarten for all kids in the state, a win for parents whose districts may only offer half-day programs.

During his 2025 State of the State Address, Governor Murphy encouraged expanded access to early childhood education, both at the pre-K and kindergarten levels, in order to strengthen educational opportunities and support working-class families.

“[W]e are going to strengthen early childhood education, alleviate the burden of childcare costs on parents, and ensure all children in New Jersey benefit from the same strong start when it comes to their education,” Murphy said today. “We owe it to the children and families that call New Jersey home to continue building a public education system that lifts up every single one of our state’s children – no matter their zip code or their family’s socioeconomic status.”

Governor Murphy plans to make this happen with preschool education aid in the state budget; a mixed delivery handbook developed by The Department of Education that will standardize the agreements between school districts and private providers; and creating a Preschool Teacher Pipeline Investment Program so that childcare centers can implement salary scales for private teachers working towards preschool certification.

Phase II of the Strategic Plan for Preschool Expansion also plans to better align childcare and public preschool facilities requirements; evaluate public-private partnership opportunities to provide dedicated facilities funding; and improve transportation options for preschoolers.

No definitive timeline was given.

“As someone who has spent my career in education, and as someone who was a working mother, I can’t stress enough just how important kindergarten programs are, both to our children and to working families,” Senator Shirley K. Turner said. “Kindergarten offers more learning and socialization time, helps teachers identify challenges early, and relieves parents of the financial burden of paying for daycare, which is costing many families as much as their rent or mortgage. Expanding full-day kindergarten to the schools that still lack these programs is crucial to ensure no child starts their academic journey behind their peers.”

Since Governor Murphy took office, 229 additional districts have been added to state-funded preschool programs; as of today, 293 – or about half of New Jersey’s elementary-serving school districts – offer free preschool, whether in partnership with childcare providers or in elementary schools.

“As we know, full-day kindergarten has a positive impact on children’s academic achievement, social-emotional development, and overall school readiness,” said Jennifer S. Higgins, president of AFT New Jersey.

In his State of the State last week, Murphy also said he will provide 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave to every state worker. He also directed school districts to adopt policies that ban cell phones from K-12 classrooms. And he pledged to update driver education programs to make NJ a safer state to drive in,

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Read More:
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