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There’s no argument: high-quality preschool is essential for our children to be prepared for school and ready for success. Our state has one of the best, most successful, high-quality public preschool programs in the country—but tens of thousands of 3- and 4-year-olds across hundreds of communities are waiting for it. Expanding New Jersey’s state-funded, full-day pre-k is a priority among parents, communities and policymakers – including the governor, legislative leadership and legislators. Use Pre-K Our Way’s materials to help educate and motivate others.
It’s time to SIGNIFICANTLY fund pre-k expansion – NOW!
New Jersey’s been expanding pre-k! Thousands of kids have it! The governor’s budget has more funding… Hundreds of communities, tens of thousands of kids are waiting…It’s time to SIGNIFICANTLY fund pre-k expansion – NOW!
Expand NJ's Pre-K
Pre-K Our Way (www.prekourway.org) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that started in early 2015 to provide a strategic effort to have pre-k expansion as a statewide priority. The organization is a statewide advocacy effort led by former governors Kean and Florio and funded by almost 10 different philanthropic organizations. From inception, Pre-K Our Way has had a single focus: expansion of New Jersey’s existing high-quality, state-funded, full-day pre-k program to hundreds more communities – and to the tens of thousands of 3- and 4-year-olds waiting each year for access to New Jersey’s pre-k. Despite a law passed in 2008, the first funding in nearly a decade ($25 million in June 2017) and funding in the first budget of the Murphy Administration (nearly $83 million in July 2018), there are hundreds of communities still waiting for NJ’s state-funded, full-day pre-k. It’s time to significantly fund pre-k expansion – NOW!
2019 Legislative Testimony
Pre-K Our Way's most recent testimony to both legislative budget committees was delivered March 27-28, 2019: "NJ's been expanding pre-k. The governor's budget wants more funding. Hundreds of communities, tens of thousands of kids, are waiting."
About Pre-K Our Way
Learn more about what Pre-K Our Way is, who is involved and how you can join the effort.
Help Bring Pre-K Our Way
In 2008, NJ law provided pre-k to 35 school districts but promised to expand pre-k to more communities. The first funding for that promise occurred nearly a decade later – in mid-2017 for the 2017-2018 school year. Additional funding was included for the 2018-2019 school year as part of the first budget of the Murphy Administration. Although 113 communities now have NJ’s pre-k, there are tens of thousands of 3- and 4-year-olds across hundreds of communities still waiting for access to NJ’s pre-k. It’s time to significantly fund pre-k expansion – NOW!
Local Community Choice
New Jersey has one of the best, most successful and high-quality public preschool programs in the country. It’s successful because the communities that have it are allowed to adapt the program to their individual local community needs by incorporating both public and private providers.
Monthly Newsletters
Catch up on Pre-K Our Way’s activities, news and outreach with our monthly newsletters.
April 9, 2017: Former Governors Tom Kean and Jim Florio Op-Ed on the Importance of Pre-K Expansion
"In 2008, the Legislature and governor included a provision in the state school aid formula law to expand New Jersey’s state-funded, high-quality pre-K to nearly every community in the state. It was never funded. If funded, 50,000 additional three-and four-year-old children, each year, would be attending the pre-K programs. It is past time to begin state funding for this critical educational investment. Our youngest citizens are our state’s future. No matter where they live or what district they reside, our kids’ educational achievement should rise above politics."
What Pre-K Means to Kids
Pre-K Our Way asked third-graders to weigh in on their ideas about pre-k, what they remembered, and how it made a difference in their lives. Our sample isn’t scientific, but it is enlightening!
State Chamber Support for Pre-K
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce announced its support for the expansion of New Jersey’s high-quality, pre-k education so it is available to every 3- and 4-year-old in 100-plus school districts.
Star-Ledger Editorial Board August 2016
New Jersey's state preschool program is widely recognized as one of the best pre-k programs in the country. Read what the Star-Ledger Editorial Board has said about NJ's pre-k.
NJ DOE's Process for Recent Pre-K Expansion
NJ DOE determines the awards for pre-k expansion to individual school districts per the state budget funding for the 2018-2019 school year. The application process began on June 29 and included a mandatory meeting on July 13. Applications are due by August 1, with awards announced sometime prior to the anticipated October 1 start of school. As reference, the June 29 RFP can be viewed by clicking VIEW MORE.
Archive: Materials and documents used prior to June 30, 2018
Materials and documents used prior to June 30, 2018.
Questions? Requests? Call us at 609-246-0034 or toll free
at 844-335-PREK (844-335-7735) or e-mail
at 844-335-PREK (844-335-7735) or e-mail
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