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The Stamford opportunities were announced as part of 1,020 total slots awarded on a competitive basis to municipalities across Connecticut. “Providing more Stamford children with an opportunity for a pre-K experience will them to succeed in the later years of school and throughout the rest of their lives. Every step that we take toward universal pre-Kindergarten for all children is great news for the families and the economy of Connecticut,” said Senator Leone.
In making the announcement, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said he has prided himself on investing in education. "With this expansion we are taking immediate steps to provide 1,020 additional children in low-income families with a strong start and foundation for lifelong success,” Malloy said. The expansion was included in Public Act 14-39, which was supported by state Sen. Bob Duff, D-25th District, and signed by Governor Malloy in May. The School Readiness Program is a state-funded initiative which provides high-quality preschool to low-income 3- and 4-year olds in Connecticut school districts with the greatest need. Each pre-K slot provides per child funding to either public or private pre-K programming providers. Public Act 14-39 increases the amount of these grants from $8,346 per year per child to $8,670 per year. The expansion of 1,020 opportunities is part of a five-year plan to expand the School Readiness Program to serve a total of 4,010 additional children by 2019. The plan will provide pre-kindergarten for approximately 1,000 additional children for each of the first three years and 500 children during each of the last two years of the plan. The 1,020 new slots announced today will become available at the beginning of the upcoming school year. The Office of Early Childhood, also created in legislation passed this year, is responsible for the administration of the program.
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