Re: Public Pre-school

From: Nina Sazer O'Donnell
Email: nina.sazerodonnell@gmail.com
Date: February 14, 2006

Comments

Hi Kenneth:

I'm not sure I know enough details about your governor's proposed preschool initiative to comment on the specifics. I do know, however, that there are people in several states who are concerned that there could be an oversupply of programs for four year olds when preschool programs are established.

On the other hand, wise public policy might include taking advantage of the new resources for preschool programs to meet the needs of more four-year-olds and then shift resources in the private sector to serve more two and three year olds. Also, if his proposal allows private programs to deliver the preschool program, as has been done in many other states, than many of the additional resources will benefit all children and programs.

For example, in Georgia, which created the first statewide preschool program, private child care centers could provide state-funded pre-school services. And the new preschool resources they received enabled them to both serve more younger children and to take advantage of some of the new professional development supports for their entire programs.

I believe that we always have to think strategically about how to use each new opportunity creatively to benefit as many young children as possible.

Cheers, Nina