OCEAN CITY – Gov. Phil Murphy announced, in a Jan. 10 release, a second round of state funding to create or expand preschool programs in 33 school districts – marking the first time those communities have received state aid for preschool.
The $26.9 million in Preschool Education Expansion Aid (PEEA) ensures that 2,320 children will start 2019 in a high-quality preschool classroom.
Ocean City School District will receive $257,040 from the program, the only Cape May County district to receive the second-round funding.
“Expanding early childhood education is among the smartest investments we can make for the future of our state,” stated Murphy. “Providing children with access to high-quality education is a vital component of building a stronger and fairer New Jersey where children and families can thrive.”
“A child’s earliest years are a critical time during which rapid brain development occurs. These milestones inform their cognition, health and behavior throughout life,” stated Education Commissioner Lamont O. Repollet. “Expanding and investing in preschool education is vitally important for the development of childhood education. Early childhood education provides the readiness skills they need for their academic career and prepares them for challenges beyond the classroom.”
Murphy announced the second round of PEEA funding during a visit to the Woodmere Elementary School in Eatontown, which received $314,175 in state funding.
Key elements of a high-quality preschool include limited class sizes of 15 children who are taught by a certified teacher and an aide; a transition to full-day programs; and inclusion of special-needs children with an individualized education program.
This second round of PEEA funding follows an announcement made by Murphy in September 2018 that allocated $20.6 million in PEEA to expand existing preschool programs
