High-Quality, Publicly Funded Pre-K
High-quality, publicly funded pre-k builds on high- quality child care for infants and toddlers and is an essential part of the early care and education continuum, preparing Pennsylvania’s eligible 3- and 4-year-olds to enter kindergarten ready to succeed. The largest pre-k program in the state, Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, was adopted as Act 45 to the Public-School Code in July 2007. 12 Pre-K Counts provides eligible 3- and 4-year- olds the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend high-quality, publicly funded half or full-day pre-k. Eligible families earn up to 300% of the federal poverty level, filling the gap between families eligible for federal Head Start but unable to afford pre-k out-of-pocket expenses. Children who are Dual Language Learners or those at risk of school failure due to community factors, academic difficulties, or economic disadvantages are also eligible. In addition to Pre-K Counts, Pennsylvania also invests in a state Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program, making it only one of a few states to supplement federal funding for Head Start programming. The Head Start program was launched nationally in 1965, with Early Head Start established in 1994. Working in tandem, Early Head Start and Head Start provide comprehensive programming specifically designed to address the complex needs of children birth-to-age-5 living in poverty, children with disabilities, children in foster care, children experiencing homelessness, and children receiving SNAP. 13 Families must earn 100% of the federal poverty level or less to be eligible for the program. Head Start includes four main components of programming: education, health, parent involvement, and social services. 14 The program
seeks to provide various educational experiences for children to help them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. It also ensures children have timely health services such as immunizations, dental care, medical care, mental health, nutritional benefits, and early identification of health-related problems. 15 Further, the program ensures caregivers are involved in planning and implementing activities for their children and is a partner in helping identify any social services that may benefit families. 16 Early Head Start serves low-income pregnant women, infants and toddlers birth-to-age-3, and their families. 17 Specifically, the program addresses economic, health, and psychosocial stressors low- income families may experience. 18 The program also includes parental supports, access to health and mental health services, education, and job training. Pre-K Counts and Head Start Providers Pre-K Counts providers must meet specific requirements and apply for a competitive grant every five years. A strength of Pennsylvania’s current pre-k programming is that it is offered through a mixed-delivery system allowing for high-quality program options that best suit each family’s needs. Eligible providers may be Head Start programs, licensed nursery schools, child care centers and group child care homes with a Keystone STAR 3 or 4, school districts, or a third-party entity carrying out the fiduciary and lead agency responsibilities for entities eligible to operate program classrooms. 19 A Head Start program is available to children in every Pennsylvania county. Providers must apply to the federal government to operate as Head Start grantees and follow a comprehensive set of
August 2023
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