Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Programs: Access, Quality, and Workforce
served in the Pre-K Counts or HSSAP programs are Non-Hispanic Black, compared to 41% of children identifying as Non-Hispanic White*. 57,58 It is also important to note there are limitations with this data, as there are with all data collected and analyzed, and those limitations are outlined specifically within the footnote. High-Quality Pre-K Makes a Difference In Pennsylvania, high-quality, publicly funded pre-k is provided in various settings, known as mixed-delivery, to allow the greatest flexibility for families to find a program that fits their needs. High-quality pre-k is offered through Head Start, Pre-K Counts, Philadelphia pre-k (PHLpreK), school district pre-k programs, and through child care provided in Keystone STAR 3-4 centers and group child care homes participating in the Child Care Works program for preschool-age children. There are approximately 3,000 eligible locations that can provide high-quality pre-k programming, however only 75% of eligible locations (nearly 2,300) receive public funds to support a pre-k program. 59 The majority of Pre-K Counts providers are in high-quality child care programs, accounting for 46% of the Pre-K Counts locations across the state. 60 School districts also provide high- *This point-in-time data may not replicate enrollment in other months or years. It reflects the 33,555 children enrolled in only two Pennsylvania high-quality pre-kindergarten programs and does not account for the children who might enroll in the 3,229 unfilled slots in March 2023. A total distinct count of children enrolled in all publicly funded, high-quality pre-k programs within Pennsylvania is not available and would lessen the limitation within this pre-k analysis (As noted within the report, this includes pre-k offered through Head Start, Pre-K Counts, Philadelphia pre-k (PHLpreK), school district pre-k programs, as well as child care provided in Keystone STAR 3-4 centers and group child care homes participating in the Child Care Works program for preschool-age children).
quality pre-k programs for children, yet not every school district currently offers a program. Neither child care programs nor school districts can accommodate the number of classrooms needed to serve eligible children. If Pennsylvania wants to increase access to high-quality pre-k programs for children, pre-k classroom expansion must occur across all settings, including more school districts offering programs. The workforce crisis must be addressed so classrooms are adequately staffed, thus expanding pre-k access to more 3- and 4-year-olds.
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2023 State of Early Care and Education
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