Provide universal access to high-quality early childhood education

Children who participate in high-quality pre-k programs perform better in school, are more likely to graduate, and earn more throughout their lives compared to peers without access to early learning programs. Investments in high-quality early childhood education more than pay for themselves through the benefits they create, including increased earnings and reduced criminal activity later on in children's lives. High-quality early education programs equip young children with the skills needed to start kindergarten ready to learn.

The Wolf Administration has provided unprecedented support to high-quality pre-k programs in Pennsylvania. Since Governor Wolf took office in 2015, he has doubled funding for high-quality pre-k, extending access to an additional 13,500 children. In addition to increasing access to high-quality pre-k programs, the governor has fought for other investments that ensure children start life on the right path. The September 2019 report of the governor’s Ready to Start Task Force provides a framework to support Pennsylvania’s infants and toddlers and how best to care for the state’s youngest residents. The 2021-22 budget provided a $30 million increase in early childhood education funding to support Pre-K Counts and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. This new funding will allow an additional 3,270 children to enroll in Pennsylvania’s high-quality early learning programs. Additionally, the new budget provides $20 million for Ready to Learn and $11 million for preschool Early Intervention.

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts provides high-quality pre-kindergarten services to at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds at no cost to families. Children living in families earning up to 300 percent of poverty, or a family of four earning $75,300 annually, are eligible to apply. Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is offered in school districts, Keystone STARS 3 and 4 child care programs, Head Start programs, and licensed nursery schools.

Pennsylvania’s Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program provides state funding to Head Start programs to serve 3- and 4-year-olds living in families at or below 130 percent of poverty, or a family of four earning $32,630 annually. The programs provide comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services aligned to the federal program requirements.