NEW JERSEY - The Garden State has committed to make universal preschool programs available to all New Jersey families within the next several years, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday.

The New Jersey Department of Education has been tasked with creating a "strategic plan" for a universal preschool program in the state, Murphy said during a news conference and visit to Dr. Charles Smith Elementary Childhood Center in Palisades Park, which boasts a state-funded preschool program.

The Universal Pre-K Strategic Plan will focus on the following:

• Prioritizing districts and setting a timeline for expansion;
• Ensuring students have appropriate facilities and quality programming;
• Involving childcare providers and Head Start in planning to avoid displacing existing high-quality early learning centers;
• Optimizing funding streams, including federal funds from the federal Build Back Better Plan; and
• Utilizing best practices from other states that offer expanded/universal pre-k programs.

"Investing in early childhood education lays the foundation for a bright future for our early learners," Murphy said. "Our administration is committed to ensuring that every New Jersey child receives a high-quality education starting with pre-K. While we still have a long way to go to achieve pre-K for all, today's expansion further demonstrates our commitment to reaching as many students as possible."

If and when the state receives federal funding through President Joe Biden's American Families Plan, the governor anticipates an expedited route towards the goal.

Acting Commissioner of Education Angelica Allen-McMillan added that she will be using "all available resources" to increase the availability of early childhood education to all three and four-year-olds in the state, or upwards of 90,000 children.

"Quite plainly, education in general and pre-K in particular is one of our best opportunities to close the achievement gap for students who come from low-income and disadvantaged communities," Murphy said.

Murphy also added that 2021 serves as the fourth consecutive year of the expansion of New Jersey school districts receiving pre-K funding under his administration.

Under the Thursday announcement, 19 additional school districts will be awarded a total of $17 million in funding to enhance the quality of preschool education, increasing preschool slots by 1,138 full-time seats (see school districts below). 10 awarded districts will offer new preschool programs thanks to the grant, while nine others already have existing programs that are slated to expand. Palisades Park alone is poised to receive over $823,000 of the funding.

"By providing a free and quality education for preschool-aged children, we can support the community's most deserving families," Palisades Park preschool teacher Vera Chesmadia said.

"Each and every day, I see the impact that our program can have on children. Many of our students come to school on an empty stomach. They have no access to books or other resources in their homes and lack educational support at home because parents work multiple jobs to provide for their families. I know what a year in preschool means for these children … without this [program], our children's futures would not be nearly as bright as they are today."

"We believe that a good education not only equips students with skills and knowledge, but that it ultimately has the power to change the trajectory of someone's life ... investing in pre-K is how we intend to keep New Jersey a national leader in every field," Murphy said. "It starts here by building stronger and fairer foundations for lifelong learning so that, on the first day of kindergarten, all students are ready to take advantage of all that our best-in-the-nation school system has to offer."

Districts that received part of the $17 million in state funding for the 2021-2022 school year include:

Mullica Township: $512,823

Palisades Park: $823,860

Audubon Boro (Audubon Park): $440,319

Berlin Township: $336,713

Cape May City: $376,033

Commercial Township: $563,112

Deerfield Township: $415,831

Monroe Township: $1,399,892

Washington Township: $1,113,420

Westville: $655,573

East Newark: $337,039

Jackson Township: $3,173,040

Ocean Gate: $264,462

Stafford Township: $3,245,355

Bloomingdale: $540,600

Penns Grove-Carney's Point Regional: $1,138,728

Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional: $1,067,165

Upper Pittsgrove Township: $672,760

Hamburg: $579,984

source: NJ Commits To Universal Pre-K For All: Murphy | Holmdel, NJ Patch