An innovative preschool program that uses modified buses to deliver education directly to Las Vegas neighborhoods has seen such high demand that it now has a waiting list.
In Henderson, the city council recently approved a $15.3 million investment to construct a new early childhood education center, set to open in 2027. This new facility aims to double the city’s current preschool capacity.
This trend is part of a broader movement across Southern Nevada, where city-run preschools are expanding to meet increasing demand.
Preschool education for children aged 3 to 5 is not new to municipal initiatives. All five cities in Clark County operate their own preschool programs, separate from private providers and Clark County School District’s (CCSD) prekindergartens.
However, as Nevada strives to broaden access to prekindergarten, city-run preschools are filling up. Angela Rose, manager of the Department of Youth Development and Social Initiatives in Las Vegas, anticipates that a bill for universal public preschool may be considered in the upcoming Nevada Legislature session. Universal preschool would provide a seat for every eligible 4-year-old in the state, she said.
“Most brain development happens before kindergarten, and kindergarten looks very different now than it did in the past,” Rose explained.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation reports that 67% of Nevada’s 3- and 4-year-olds are not in school, compared to the national rate of 54%.
Tara Phebus, head of Education Initiatives in Henderson, noted the shortage of preschool seats for children who could benefit from high-quality programs. In Henderson, 60% of 3- and 4-year-olds are not enrolled in any preschool.
The Henderson City Council recently approved a $15.3 million project to build an early childhood education center in the Cadence neighborhood, near Grand Cadence and Galleria Drive. The center, scheduled to open in 2027, will include seven to nine classrooms and serve approximately 180 children within 12,000 to 15,000 square feet of space, which will also feature playgrounds and offices.
Currently, Henderson’s only preschool is located at the Valley View Recreation Center near downtown, occupying half of the building and accommodating up to 160 children. The preschool offers half-day or full-day instruction for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds, with full-day options available for older children.
Phebus highlighted that Valley View has housed the preschool for about 30 years. Over this time, the city has improved the facility to meet modern standards and ensure it remains secure and suitable for young children. The preschool has evolved to include a structured curriculum and alignment with statewide assessments. While tuition-based, scholarships and subsidies may be available.
Rose noted that cities have diverse infrastructure that can be repurposed for preschools, such as community centers and other buildings.
Las Vegas has a robust, free educational program under its Strong Start brand. This includes four modified buses that bring school to low-income neighborhoods and five fixed Strong Start Academy locations offering full-day classes. Currently, 380 children are enrolled in these programs, with 120 in the mobile program, which is fully booked for the first time since its launch in 2022.
One Strong Start Academy, located within the Lorenzi Park complex, was originally the Nevada State Museum before being converted into a school. The building now houses eight classrooms, with a ninth in progress. In these classrooms, 4-year-olds experiment with finger paints, while 3-year-olds engage in drawing, play kitchen activities, and clay shaping.
Public preschool options are mostly provided by CCSD. As of the end of the last school year, CCSD enrolled around 12,500 preschoolers. Despite efforts to expand prekindergarten options, the district faces challenges with fluctuating enrollment rates. Nearly half of CCSD’s preschool seats are reserved for students with special needs.
According to the National Institute for Early Education Research, preschool improves school readiness, math and reading skills, and reduces the likelihood of students repeating grades.
Andrea Moore, director of education for Acelero Learning of Clark County, which operates some of Las Vegas’s preschools, emphasized that cities need to contribute to early childhood development alongside the school district.
Phebus also noted recent discussions between Henderson and district officials about referring families to city-run programs when district programs are full. She said, “Residents increasingly recognize the importance of early childhood education and its impact on future outcomes.”