Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Department of Education Acting Commissioner Kevin Dehmer announced that 18 school districts will receive funding for preschool expansion in the 2024-2025 school year. This funding, nearly $20 million from the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, aims to increase access to high-quality preschool programs.
The investment is expected to benefit over 1,200 additional children, allowing them to enroll in quality preschool programs. Currently, state-funded high-quality preschool programs operate in 293 school districts across New Jersey.
“Our investment in early childhood education lays a strong foundation for young learners,” said Governor Murphy. “This announcement reflects my ongoing commitment to expand early childhood education in more communities. Our long-term goal is to ensure every 3- and 4-year-old in New Jersey can access high-quality preschool programs.”
Acting Commissioner Dehmer praised the rapid growth of preschool programs in the state. “Governor Murphy’s support has been instrumental. With today’s announcements, we are now serving nearly 77,000 children each year in New Jersey with state-funded high-quality preschool programs. This is a significant number of young lives that will benefit from our state’s initiatives.”
The school districts selected for funding demonstrated their ability to deliver high-quality preschool programs. Such programs must include a full-day schedule, a certified teacher, an aide, a curriculum aligned with New Jersey’s Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards, and small class sizes that accommodate children with special needs who have individualized education plans. The awarded districts are expected to launch their programs by winter.
The Fiscal Year 2025 Budget specifically allocated $20 million to support both the expansion of existing preschool programs and the creation of new ones.
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