During his Team Kentucky Update Wednesday, Governor Andy Beshear provided an update on the state’s Pre-K for All Initiative, with the governor stating that support for preschoolers means support for Kentucky families.
“In Kentucky, Pre-K for All would boost take home pay for families $9,000 a year for six straight years, meaning $54,000 more for the average Kentucky family,” Beshear said. “It saves $7,000 per year in costs and it could grow Kentucky’s workforce by 70,000 people, and of course, it could increase kindergarten readiness in a state where over half of our kids show up not ready for kindergarten.”
Beshear discussed the work of the 28-member Pre-K for All Advisory Committee, which has been tasked with collecting input from businesses, parents, and community leaders. The governor said more than 21,000 emails have been sent to legislators since the launch of the initiative.
“We’ve hosted four town halls in Frankfort, Northern Kentucky, Bowling Green, and Moorhead, and next week we have one at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville,” Beshear said. “We’ve also had multiple committee meetings. We just held a meeting in the capitol with childcare providers from across the state. I got to attend that one and it was clear everyone is focused on trying to get the very best for our kids.”
Beshear said other nearby states have already implemented similar programs, so Kentucky has to step up now.
“If we don’t make this happen, we’re going to be left behind,” Beshear said. “That next company looking at where to locate or where to expand is going to hear from a different governor that their employees in their state have access to pre-K and thus make a better living.”
Learn more about the initiative at www.prek4all.KY.gov.
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