New Jersey Expands Preschool Access Amid Federal Funding Concerns
South Brunswick, NJ – February 22, 2023 – Governor Phil Murphy announced a significant $120 million investment aimed at enhancing preschool facilities and expanding high-quality pre-K programs to 16 additional districts. This comes as New Jersey sees a rise in preschool enrollment, with approximately 62,000 children participating in state-funded programs in the 2023-24 school year—a growth of over 3,000 from the previous year.
A report by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) highlights New Jersey’s strong commitment to preschool education, meeting nine out of ten quality benchmarks related to staffing and curriculum. However, concerns loom as the Trump administration seeks to cut federal funding for Head Start, a vital component of New Jersey’s early childhood education. Experts warn that such cuts could destabilize the state’s preschool landscape, particularly affecting disadvantaged children in ‘Abbott’ districts.
Despite these challenges, state funding for preschool has increased by 17%, with nearly $18,000 spent per child. Murphy emphasized the aim for universal preschool access for all 3- and 4-year-olds, reinforcing New Jersey’s leadership in preschool education amidst evolving federal policies.
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