Governor Phil Murphy and Acting Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer have announced the allocation of nearly $20 million in funds to expand high-quality preschool programs across 18 school districts in New Jersey for the 2024-2025 school year. This funding is part of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and aims to provide more than 1,200 additional children with access to preschool education.
The expansion will bring state-funded preschool programs to a total of 293 districts, with 229 established during Governor Murphy's tenure. "Our investment in early childhood provides the youngest learners with a solid foundation for success," stated Governor Murphy. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring that every three- and four-year-old in New Jersey has access to quality preschool education.
Acting Commissioner Dehmer highlighted the rapid growth of these programs under Governor Murphy's leadership, noting that nearly 77,000 children now benefit from state-funded preschools annually. "That’s a huge number of young lives whose futures will be broadened by our state’s efforts," he said.
The awarded districts demonstrated their ability to offer high-quality preschool services, defined as full-day programs featuring certificated teachers, aides, aligned curricula with state standards, and inclusive small classes catering to special needs students. These programs are expected to commence by winter.
The following districts received funding: East Rutherford ($595,612), Lodi ($1,403,872), Bordentown ($1,305,345), Chesterfield ($1,116,753), Evesham ($3,220,662), Riverton ($368,568), Southampton ($552,852), Berlin Borough ($1,660,179), Brooklawn ($278,186), East Greenwich ($847,336), Middlesex Borough ($632,076), Upper Freehold Regional ($1,037,725), Point Pleasant Borough ($558,404), Hampton ($554,256), Lopatcong ($1,021,845), Sandyston-Walpack ($169,356), Vernon ($2,815296) and Clark ($1 ,860188). The total allocation amounts to $19 ,998511.
Districts marked with an asterisk previously operated preschool programs through Early Childhood Program Aid (ECPA) and Early Launch to Learning Initiative (ELLI) funding. The new aid allows them to expand these into high-quality programs.
