Program Spotlight: Universal Pre-K | Kiddie Academy of Stafford

 Program Spotlight: Universal Pre-K

Program Spotlight: Universal Pre-K

What is Universal Fairy?

If you don't believe, you are not alone. Although widely used in many other countries, only a few states now offer it in the United States - and the short answer is that it is a publicly funded, high-quality preschool that is funded by the family. Available to all children regardless. Right now, many states have pre-k programs that are government-funded, but they are revenue-based - and so Universal Pre-k will expand what is now available.

Currently, only 41% of 4-year-olds and 16% of 3-year-olds are enrolled in some form of pre-K program that is publicly funded. Therefore, even when considering that not every eligible child is enrolled at 24/7 daycare near me, this extension must be critical to reaching a truly universal availability.

So, what are the benefits of this type of educational programming? Challenges?

The benefits of a standard preschool

Healthline.com lists just a few of the benefits of standard preschool that have been determined through research, referring to "regular" preschool, not specifically for universal preschool.

• Greater self-regulatory attitude
• More academic skills
• Increase vocabulary
• Socialization opportunities
• In fact, children who go to preschool with well-trained teachers may still see educational benefits early in high school. So, how will Universal Fairy spread on it?

Benefits of Universal Pre-K

The main advantage is that more children can access standard pre-school education, which is not within the reach of many American families today.

Rasmussen University cites research that estimates that the average annual cost of preschool for a 4-year-old is $ 6,500, which is beyond the reach of many families. Universal Fairy will spread it "to children of all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds [even] ... those who are learning English as a second language.

Making it available to everyone can help bridge the quality gap, as Universal Pre-K programs need to meet or exceed best practices, including standardizing teacher licensing requirements and the profession. Professional development programs. Classrooms will almost certainly become more diverse, giving participants the opportunity to "gain new perspectives and appreciate their individuality while promoting empathy and inclusion along the way." In addition, more parents may be involved in their children's education earlier with this programming.

Challenges of Universal Pre-K

The biggest challenge? 

Getting enough funding. The United States lags behind in early childhood education spending with the 2017 Education Week report showing how Norway and Sweden (using 2013 data) accounted for about 2% of their GDP. Spend on early childhood education programs, compared to 0.4% in the United States. When compared to the world average of the United States - 0.8% - American numbers are still low.

Additional funding is possible as part of the Universal Pre-K White House American Families Plan. If implemented, it would provide "universal, high-quality preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds."

When there is substantial funding across the country for Universal Pre-k, teachers will need substantial support to help prevent burnouts while maintaining the required high standards.

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