Subject:

Tell lawmakers to support universal Pre-K provided by certified educators!

Dear Legislator,

Every child in our state deserves the best start we can give them. With New York finally moving toward universal pre-K for every 4-year-old, we must ensure that these opportunities are applied equitably and are of the highest quality. 

Pre-K is not simply daycare for our youngest learners — it is early childhood education. It must be staffed by certified educators who can ensure that our children are getting the strongest start they can get before entering our public schools. 

Currently, over one-fifth of students attending state-funded pre-K programs are taught by educators who are not certified. As universal pre-K grows across the state, we must ensure that these programs are taught by certified educators who are trained to give our young students the leg up they deserve. 

Additionally, by embedding these pre-K programs in our neighborhood public schools, we can reduce the number of transitions for young students and align the curriculum, so they are as prepared as possible when they enter kindergarten. 

Please support language in the budget to ensure that our pre-K programs across the state are staffed by trained and certified educators in our neighborhood public schools. This is a historic investment in New York’s children and families, and we must ensure that New York’s pre-K program is truly universal and high-quality. 

Sincerely,

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